The world is facing a new crisis: microplastics! Plastics are everywhere; from food to beauty products to even the human body. But what’s more interesting is phthalates, a component in plastic which makes it soft and stretchable. They are tasteless, odourless, and also degrade in the environment. Even though they don’t stay in the body for long, constant exposure can seriously mess with hormones and affect multiple organs. Over time, this can lead to issues with pregnancy, slow down child growth and development, and harm the reproductive system, especially in young children and teenagers.

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Related story: Should You Be Worried About Phthalates–the Chemical That is Everywhere?

 

Common Products Phthalates Are Found In

But, how do phthalates get into our body in the first place? Phthalates can enter your body through food when plastics leach chemicals into what you eat, especially when heated. They also get absorbed into your skin through lotions, perfumes, and soaps, or even through the air when you breathe in dust from plastic furniture, vinyl flooring, and scented products. That receipt you held at the market? Yep, they can absorb right through your fingertips too. Looks like it's impossible to get rid of these microplastics. 

• Plastic Food Containers & Wraps: A convenient takeout box or plastic wrap might be serving up a side of phthalates, especially when heated. These chemicals can sneak into your food without you even knowing.
• Cosmetics & Skincare Products: Love that long-lasting perfume or nail polish? It contains phthalates that help scents stick around and also keeps polishes from chipping.
• Household Cleaning Products: Phthalates help stabilise fragrances in detergents, floor cleaning items, or bathing products. This means you breathe them in every time you clean.
• Receipts & Printed Paper: Thermal paper is often coated with phthalates that transfer onto your hands.
• Children’s Toys: Phthalates keep soft plastic toys flexible, but they’re not something you’d want your little one nibbling on.
• Vinyl Flooring & Synthetic Leather: Faux leather couches are no exception. Phthalates are what keep them soft and crack-free, but they can also release chemicals into the ambience over time.
• Shampoos & Soaps: That fresh-smelling shampoo or body wash is loaded with phthalates that you might be unaware of. It surely helps lock in fragrance, but they’re also washing unwanted chemicals down your drain and onto your skin.
• Car Interiors & Plastic Furniture: The new car smell everyone loves is partly from phthalates off-gassing from plastic dashboards and seat covers.

 

Related story: Endocrine Disruptors: Toxic Chemicals Hiding in Common Household Items

 

But, how does microplastic affect the human body and health? Let’s find out. 

 

Health Risks Associated With Phthalates

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, which means they interrupt with hormone functions in the body. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems across multiple organ systems. Here’s how they impact different areas of the body:

1. Lowers Fertility and Reproductive Health: Phthalates don’t just disrupt hormones, they can also take a serious toll on fertility. A 2020 study in Translational Andrology and Urology found that men with high phthalate exposure had lower sperm counts and sluggish sperm movement, making conception harder. For women, these chemicals are linked to irregular menstrual cycles and trouble getting pregnant. Over time, exposure can increase the probability of miscarriage, trigger early menopause, and even contribute to reproductive disorders like PCOS. 

Related story: Can Chemicals in Your Personal Care Products Affect Your Pregnancy?

2. Risk of Heart Diseases: Phthalates are hormone disruptors and are linked with death due to heart diseases.  A 2024 study by the Univeristy Grossman School of Medicine from over 5,000 U.S. adults found that people aged 55-64 with the highest phthalate levels in their urine were more likely to die from heart disease compared to those with lower levels. 

3. Affects Pregnancy and Fetal Development: A 2022 JAMA Pediatrics study found that pregnant women with high phthalate exposure were more likely to have babies with lower birth weights and shorter pregnancies. This increases the risk of preterm birth, developmental delays, and even potential birth defects..

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4. Impairs Child Growth and Brain Development: A 2021 study in the paper Environment International found that prenatal exposure to these chemicals is linked to lower IQ, attention deficits, and behavioral issues. Children exposed to higher levels may experience delayed speech, trouble with motor skills, and difficulty focusing in school. 

5. Increases Risk of Diabetes & Obesity: A study in the journal Metabolites found that people with high phthalate exposure were more likely to develop insulin resistance, a key factor in Type 2 diabetes. Over time, this can lead to metabolic syndrome, weight gain, and an increased risk of obesity, especially in children and adults with prolonged exposure. 

 

Related story: The Diabetes guide: How to Balance Your Blood Sugar

 

From disrupting hormones and fertility to increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and developmental issues, phthalates are everywhere yet often go unnoticed. Phthalates may be invisible, but they do affect our health. By making small changes like choosing phthalate-free products and reducing plastic use can help limit exposure. Awareness is the first step toward protecting ourselves and future generations from their long-term effects.

 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.