Phthalates

Lyche, JL

HERO ID

3341769

Reference Type

Book/Book Chapter

Year

2011

Language

English

HERO ID 3341769
Year 2011
Title Phthalates
Book Title Reproductive and developmental toxicology
Authors Lyche, JL
Editor Gupta, RC
Publisher Text Elsevier
City Oxford, United Kingdom
Page Numbers 637-655
Abstract This chapter describes phthalates (phthalic acid testers), which are used as plasticizers that impart flexibility and durability to polyvinylchloride (PVC) products. They are also used in solvents, lubricating oils, fixatives and as detergents in personal care products. Advances in materials sciences and engineering during the last decades have led to a widespread use of phthalates in a wide range of industrial products. When incorporated into PVC, phthalates are not covalently bound and are therefore easily released to the surroundings, leading to contamination of the external environment. Phthalates are detected in several media including food, water, house dust and air. Phthalate esters are suggested to have endocrine-disrupting properties and exposures to high concentrations were shown to induce fetal death, cancer, malformations, liver and kidney injury and reproductive toxicity in animals. Reduced testosterone and adverse male reproductive system development are extensively documented in rodents and the adverse effects observed in animals raise concerns as to whether phthalates represent a potential health risk to humans Therefore, the use of the phthalates DEHP, DBP and BBP is forbidden in toys, cosmetics and food contact materials. Reports have been published which also associate exposure to phthalates with increasing incidence of other human diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, asthma and allergies and neurological disorders such as ADHD and autism. Due to the fact that there are substantial gaps in knowledge in both phthalate levels of exposure and consequent health effects in humans, additional research is warranted.
Doi 10.1016/B978-0-12-382032-7.10048-7
Wosid WOS:000318575300049
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Isbn 9780123820327
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
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