Phthalates present on baby products

In Washington, a study was conducted on baby care products and found out that baby lotion, powder and shampoo can lead to higher concentrations in an infant’s body of phthalates.

Phthalates, or phthalate esters, according to Wikipedia are a group of chemical compounds that are mainly used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility). They are chiefly used to turn polyvinyl chloride from a hard plastic into a flexible plastic.

Sheela Sathyanarayana, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington medical school said that Babies may be more at risk than children or adults because their reproductive, endocrine and immune systems are still developing.

Study says that Animal-based studies of phthalates have found that the synthetic chemicals can harm reproductive system development, and studies in humans have found that prenatal exposure or exposure through breast milk can alter hormone concentrations.

People should be very careful with the products being used to babies and even adults to avoid being at risk.