Phthalates: The Next Plastics Health Scare?

The next health scare involving plastics likely will be over the use of phthalates, according to a recent article on ZDNet. The plasticisers are used in medical tubing, dialysis bags, clothing and building materials. While BPA is made by condensing phenol and acetone in the presence of an acid, phthalates are the most common form of plastciser, made through a simple reaction of alcohol and acid. The charge, delivered in a study from the Mt. Sinai Center for Childrens Environmental Health, is that these chemicals are endocrine disrupters, and may be responsible for the rise in childhood obesity and Type II diabetes.

Tags: BPA, phthalates, Plastics