Phthalates

Phthalates and BPA have opposite hormonal effects, but the article characterizes both as undesirable. Phthalates are measurable in nearly all of the United States population in CDC NHANES sampling. Urinary metabolite testing is presented as a reliable and accessible way to measure personal phthalate exposure. Phthalates primarily harm reproduction through anti-androgenic activity that lowers testosterone. Phthalates are anti-androgenic and interfere with androgen signaling. The United States banned phthalates from children's toys but not from major exposure routes for pregnant women. Prenatal phthalate exposure is linked to a named syndrome involving reduced masculinization of male offspring. Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics. Phthalates are petrochemical compounds added to plastic to make it soft and flexible. Phthalates make plastic soft.