Phthalates

PHTHALATES!!!



Phthalates are used to soften plastics and make things more flexible. They are used in many everyday products such as water bottles and children’s toys. Long periods of exposure to Phthalates can threaten the reproductive system as well as cause liver and kidney disease.
 * Abstract**:

Europe’s government passed a law in 1999 that stopped the production of products containing Phthalates. This had a huge positive impact on the health status of their population. It also has had no negative impact on their economy and has even helped improve it. Our group feels that the US should take action and do the same because it will help boost the overall health status of the country and save lives, as well as the possibility of being a good start to help improve the current state of our economy.

Phthalates are used to soften plastics and make things more flexible. It is used in many things including children’s toys like rubber ducks and it is also found in water bottles, IV tubes, PVC and much more. Phthalates are used in the US, but the use of it in children’s toys has been banned in the European Union since 1999.
 * Background**:

There is no covalent bond between the phthalates and the plastics they are in. On the one hand, this makes them softer, and easier to handle. On the other hand, because of the lack of said bond, this makes the molecules able to disconnect. Thus, plastics that contain Phthalates can change their physical properties once the phthalates leave. Once in the natural environment, the Phthalates are subject to bio degradation, photo-degradation, an anaerobic degradation. Therefore, the chemicals survive better in man made environments.
 * Chemistry**:

Phthalates are easily released into the air because there is no Covalent Bond between them and the plastics they are mixed into. After a period of time, plastic begins to age and break down, which causes the Phthalates to be released into the air. If exposed to Phthalates for long periods of time, it can threaten the reproductive system, especially in males and can also reduce fertility and premature breast development in young girls. Liver and kidney disease and asthma can also occur.
 * Human Health Implications**:

Humans breath fumes of loose chemicals. This comes from soft plastics. in nature, phthalates are more. It goes through biodegradation, and photodegradation when exposed to a natural environment. It will degrade quickly, if in the right environment. For instance, loose particles floating in a sun-exposed expanse of air will degrade more quickly than a densely packed group of molecules underground. The less physiological the environment, the longer it takes to degrade. It can be degraded through natural means, and so the presence of plants may affect phthalate levels for the better. If it were banned, it would increase health in all who expose themselves to plastics. Also, toddlers would not develop poor physical health early on, and would live healthier lives.
 * Environmental/Economic/Political Implications**:

There would not be an increase in cost if Phthalates were to stop being used, however, if Phthalates were to be banned the existence of many products would not be affected, but the quality/texture would be. Some of products that would be affected would be the rubber duck along with many other children’s toys, sippie cups, baby bottles and water bottles, cosmetics, PVC, medical supplies, and much, much more. For example, if Phthalates were to be banned, rubber ducks would not have a "soft-feel" to them. In the 90’s the top three countries that used Phthalates in products were Europe, Asia, and the US. To this day, countries that continue to manufacture products that contain Phthalates are about half of Asia and the entire US.

It is easy to spin the facts when it comes to this substance. It is easy to ignore it, even though it has become a part of our lives. The EPA requires that spills of 1,000 pounds or more of diethyl phthalate be reported to the EPA. This is not enough. This is practically a confession from the federal government, admitting that Americans are in danger. Yet, they feel that they need not take action.
 * Summary**:

As the economic crisis deepens, and as issues such as healthcare and war become more and more emphasized by the government, smaller domestic issues such as this one take a back seat. However, at closer examination, the issue of phthalates is very relevant to issues such as unemployment, and healthcare. A ban would require research into, and production of alternatives. This will create green jobs, and will save thousands of Americans money on their healthcare.

Even though this issue may seem small now, phthalates, like government oppression, harms us in at slow, gradual pace. Action is needed now. Our group supports a ban on phthalates, and supports research into alternatives. When it comes to the health of citizens, and the ethics of a system, the time to change, as always, is now.

media type="custom" key="5667225"


 * Sources**:
 * Schapiro, Mark. //Exposing a Toxic U.S. Policy (Section 1)//. NPR, 26 Nov. 2007. //Http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16616951//. Web. 5 Mar. 2010.//
 * //"Phthalates."// Environmental Working Group//. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. .//
 * //"Phthalates – Beauty Products and Beastly Vinyl."// Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine//. Web. 9 Mar. 2010. .