Why are phthalates in perfumes dangerous?

Are phthalates in perfumes dangerous?
Have you ever read the label on your favourite perfume? Did you find out what it is made of? Because of laws that protect perfume manufacturers from sharing "trade secrets," most commercially sold perfumes are full of harmful chemicals that are not individually listed on the ingredients label.

Instead, these deadly chemicals are simply masked by the term "fragrance" - an umbrella word that can refer to several ingredients and hide the real one. Phthalates are one of the most studied and researched chemicals commonly found in perfumes.

What are phthalates? 

Phthalates, also known as phthalate esters or softeners, are a category of chemicals commonly used to make plastics more pliable and brittle. They also act as a solvent or binder. In the 1920s, phthalates were first introduced as an additive in PVC. They are used in a wide range of products such as personal care products and perfumes.

What are phthalates used for?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to phthalates is widespread and negatively affects the majority of the population, especially children and women of reproductive age.

Phthalates in perfume

Phthalates in perfumes have been widely used since their invention. They are mainly used in fragrance oils. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), about 75% of perfume products that have 'fragrance' on the ingredients label contain phthalates.

Phthalates are commonly used in perfumery to make fragrances last longer. Various types of phthalates are used in fragrance products, in particular, diethyl phthalate (DEP) and di(2- ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) are commonly found in perfumes.

And why are phthalates in perfumes dangerous?

Phthalates are well-known endocrine-disrupting chemicals, that can disrupt hormonal balance and cause developmental, reproductive and other serious health problems. Phthalates, which are present in perfumes, can enter the human body through the skin or inhalation. Scientists have found that these chemicals are persistent and can intensify in the body.

Surprisingly, the phthalates found in perfumes do not immediately show any acute signs of poisoning, they remain in the body and very slowly accumulate in fatty tissues, which in the future tends to lead to long-term serious chronic diseases.

According to Harvard studies, exposure to phthalates can increase the risk of diabetes and miscarriage in pregnant women.

In infants and children, phthalates can cause allergies, premature puberty, male genital deformities, asthma, eczema, reduced IQ and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Some phthalate compounds can also cause several neuro disorders in children.

 According to research conducted by Harvard in 2008, phthalates have been linked to sperm DNA damage in men.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed some phthalates, such as DEHP, one of the most widely used phthalates, as probable carcinogens.

How can consumers limit the risks of fragrance phthalates?

Phthalates can be inhaled through fumes or absorbed through the skin from perfumes containing these chemicals. Since phthalates are present in almost every fashion perfume product, avoiding these chemicals is quite difficult.

The easiest and most reliable option to limit the risk of phthalates present in perfume products is to choose only natural perfumes that do not contain any synthetic chemicals like phthalates.

When it comes to health and safety, you should definitely consider double-checking the ingredients label of your perfume and, of course, avoid perfumes that are listed as 'fragrance' or 'phthalates'.

Here are some tips you can follow to avoid the risks of phthalates in perfumes:

•  Choose only natural
• Avoid perfumes that come in plastic containers, opt for glass flasks
• Do not inhale fragrance oils directly, instead, rub them gently on your clothes or palms before inhaling.
• Check the ingredients label of your perfume carefully, avoid them if they say 'fragrance' or 'phthalates'.
• If they use any types of phthalates in their products or are hiding something from customers, it's a great idea to check your natural perfume brand's ingredient list and manufacturing ethics.

Here are a few categories of products that typically contain phthalates.

Cosmetics products

•  Perfumes
• Shampoo
• Nail polish
• Sanitary pads
• Hairspray
• Eyeshadow
• Liquid soap

Medical equipment and apparatus

•  Blood storage bags
• Enteric tablet and capsule coatings
• Miscellaneous reagents
• Catheters

Home equipment

• Vinyl flooring
• Roller blinds
• Wallpaper
• Shower curtains
• Glues
• Food wraps
• Cleaning materials
• Paints
• Printing inks

Food packaging

•  Milk and spices packaging
• Fast food
• Processed food packaging

Agricultural products

•  Pesticides
• Insecticides
• Herbicides
• Fungicides