Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are a group of chemicals that can make products (usually plastics) softer and more flexible. They are sometimes called plasticizers, though there are many other types of plasticizers too.
The Canadian Cancer Society is most concerned about phthalates in certain medical supplies and in children’s toys and supplies.
How you’re exposed to phthalates
The average Canadian is exposed to fairly low levels of phthalates. You can be exposed to phthalates by using products containing them. Phthalates aren’t chemically connected with the plastic that contains them, which means they could possibly leach out of the products.
People can be exposed to higher levels of phthalates during medical procedures because some medical tubing and other devices are made with PVC plastics. Children can be exposed to phthalates by sucking on toys made of plastics that contain phthalates. In 1998, Health Canada issued a warning about the phthalate called DINP that was used in toys that kids might put in their mouths. Toys sold in Canada should no longer contain this type of phthalate.
Phthalates and cancer
There are many types of phthalates. The most commonly used and studied is DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies DEPH as a possible cause of cancer. The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) says that DEHP “is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”. This means that it is probably something that could cause cancer in humans. Find out more about how cancer-causing substances are classified.
The phthalate DEHP (found in vinyl products and in many medical plastics such as IV bags and tubes) causes tumours and other abnormalities (related to fertility) in the livers of rats and mice. Studies have shown that in pregnant rats and mice, high doses of DBP (dibutyl phthalate, most commonly used in cosmetics) causes a decrease in the number of live babies born.
To cause these abnormalities in lab animals, exposure to the substances needs to be relatively high. Most Canadians are not exposed to these levels. These substances also seem to have greater effects on young and developing animals.
There is also evidence that certain phthalates act as endocrine disruptors. This means they may mimic or behave like hormones and can interfere with the normal hormonal activity in our bodies. This can lead to physical abnormalities, fertility problems and certain types of cancer.
We need more research to know for sure whether phthalates affect people in the same way that they affect animals.
Tips to reduce your exposure to phthalates
Medical situations
If you’re pregnant or have a young child, ask your healthcare providers if it’s possible to use phthalate-free (non-PVC) tubing and IV bags, especially for procedures such as blood transfusions, dialysis and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This may not always be possible, especially in an emergency situation. If alternatives aren’t available, using traditional PVC plastics may be necessary in order to save your life or the life of a loved one.
Children’s toys and supplies
Canadian guidelines suggest that DEHP and DINP shouldn’t be used in items that are likely to go into children’s mouths. Manufacturers aren’t legally bound by these guidelines. Ask manufacturers if their products contain phthalates. If the manufacturer can’t, or won’t, tell you if the product contains phthalates, use something else.
Use plastic baby bottles and children’s plastic toys with recycling code 5 on the bottom. Recycling code 5 means the product is polypropylene, which doesn’t contain phthalates. You can also consider using glass bottles.
Food storage
Low levels of phthalates may be in food because the plastics used to prepare and package the product contain them. Many plastics have a recycling code (1–7) on them, usually at the bottom of the container. Choose containers made of recycling codes 2, 4 and 5. Based on what we know today, these types of plastics are preferable. You may also consider using glass storage containers, or soft plastics, like plastic wrap, made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
See the American Chemistry Council for a description of recycling codes and the plastics used in packaging.
Cosmetics and personal care products
Since all cosmetic products (for example, makeup, hairspray, body lotion) in Canada should be labelled with their ingredients, check for phthalates in your cosmetics using their full name. For example, look for dibutyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate.
Suggested links for more information
General information about phthalates
Learn more about sources of phthalates exposure, potential health risks associated with exposure, how you can minimize your risk, and what the Canadian government is doing to assess the dangers of phthalates and protect Canadians from them.
Health Canada – Phthalates regulations
CAREX Canada – Carcinogen profile: phthalates
U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Public health notification for DEHP-containing PVC
Types of phthalates
This web page provides a list of the most commonly used phthalates so that you can identify them in products that are labelled with ingredients. (Please remember, many consumer products do not contain a list of ingredients, and foods do not include packaging materials on their list of ingredients.)
Product Safety Australia – Phthalates in consumer products