Should Phthalates Be Used In Children's Toys

A “commodity chemical,” BPA is widely used in consumer products, and therefore is produced on a large scale. It is composed of two polymers: acetone and phenol. The two primary uses of BPA are for polycarbonate plastics (approximately 74% of its application) and epoxy resins (about 20%) (Ritter). Polycarbonates are manufactured by the combination of phosgene (COCl₂) and BPA (C15H16O2 ), and epoxy resins are made by combining BPA and epichlorohydrin (C3H5ClO). When unpolymerised epoxy compounds leach into food through packaging or come into contact with human skin through contact with cash register receipt tapes, for example, the estrogen-mimicking effects of the compounds have the potential to interfere with the normal function of

Bauer also states, “...and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure” (What is BPA?). I propose that our society has adapted to the horrifying chemicals that are everywhere, except has been and always will be around us. Thus, my grandparents have been around this toxic chemical for far too long, and was slithering into their bodies the longer that they have been present--as it will for myself. Therefore, BPA and many other toxins could have played a role in leading my grandfather to having prostate cancer due to working in the construction business for so long, and my grandmother could have high blood pressure due to the handful of dental surgeries she has undergone throughout her life. Meanwhile, this list does not include that they both wear glasses which also contain very high concentrations of BPA to permit the glasses to not bending and breaking. Not only has it been a rocky road for my grandparents, it may be even worse for myself due to the fact that BPA mainly enters our bodies through our diets from canned and processed foods

In the European Community the total amount used in fragrances has been reported to be 110 tons/a. As a result of its inherently low biodegradability MK has been detected in the aquatic environment (surface water, sediments, edible fish). Moreover, it has been shown that MK concentrates in human fatty tissue and breast milk, indicating that humans are constantly exposed (Schmeiser, Gminski, Mersch-Sundermann, 2001). According to the US national library of medicine, a large number of industrial and consumer products contain phthalate as a plasticizer, and phthalate may be a menace to health including disorders of the male reproductive tract and breast and testicular cancers. It has also been linked to reproductive effects (decreased sperm counts, early breast development, birth defects) and liver and kidney damage (Mercola,

Since the 1960s plastics are made using bisphenol A, an industrial chemical which until recently did not raise any concern. Research shows that BPA; being used to make plastic and resins, coating the inside of metal products, raised major health concerns (FactsAboutBPA.org. 2015) .Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible effects it has on the adult brain and the behaviour of infants.

Like most other chemicals consumed daily, BPA poses great consequences if consumed in high doses. However, renown geneticist Patricia Hunt depicts that even the consumption of low doses of BPA is equally alarming. To explain, just at a low dose, BPA has the capacity to alter hormone balance. BPA’s close affinity with estrogen poses significant risk to our mental and emotional well being. Most importantly, estrogen plays an important role in basic necessities such as bone growth, ovulation, and heart functions. (7) Elevated estrogen levels increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer (5) Further, studies of low

Previous epidemiological studies have explored potential health effects of prenatal exposure to TCS and reported no significant impact on birth weight and head circumference. On the other hands, one study did report that male infants were significantly shorter when prenatally exposed to higher levels of TCS (Arbuckle, et al., 2015). Other studies have observed no behavioral change in infants exposed to BPA. All three chemicals have a potential for endocrine disruption.

This can be dangerous for older people and younger people as well. Linda B. White in her article, “Plastics: What’s Dangerous, What’s Not”, talks about the two main chemicals in plastics, which are BPA and phthalates. White proves that BPA increases estrogen in the body with a study that says, “of the 115 low-dose BPA studies…, 94 found estrogen-like effects in animals” (71). Even though it was just a low dose of BPA given to the animals there was still estrogen levels that were higher than normal. This leads to the conclusion that also higher amounts of BPA dramatically increase the estrogen-like levels. Sheldon Krimsky has the same concept in his article, “Plastics in our Diet”, when it comes to how the chemicals in plastics affect the human body. Krimsky explained the effect that these endocrine disruptors can have on the human body by quoting Health Canada that “BPA is toxic to human health” (Krimsky). Krimsky shows that even other countries governments are agreeing that these chemicals are dangerous to humans. They are going as far as banning these chemicals from being produced and put in products that people use. Harriet Weinstein agrees with Krimsky and White as well. She conducted her own study that resulted in a family eating fresh-diet foods for a couple of days and the results were that “the average levels of BPA in their urine decreased by over 60%”

During recent years, numerous newspaper and magazine articles have suggested that humans may be at risk because small amounts of well known environmental contaminants, such as dioxin, PCBs and DDT, can affect hormone levels. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system as regulators of biological function in target organs. Because hormones play a critical role in early development, toxicological effects on the endocrine system often have an impact on the reproductive system. The term endocrine disruptor is used to describe chemicals that can mimic hormones and may either enhance or counteract their effects. It has been suggested that these hormone changes can, in turn, lead to a variety of health problems

To put simply, plastic is composed of alike molecules, such as carbon or hydrogen, put together in a chain. These chains are called polymers, which is just a repeating pattern of chemical mixtures. What many are unaware of is the toxic chemicals in these chains. Plastic contains Bisphenol A(BPA), which is a reproductive, developmental, and systemic toxicant, as well as an endocrine-disruptor. Even when something is BPA-free, it is not any safer than BPA, as a study has shown it has “the same or greater hormone-disrupting effects of BPA” (Terry 20). Lead and cadmium are also embedded within, which damages the nervous system, kidney, blood, and brain, and is a human carcinogen (Terry 21). These chemicals, over time, have the ability to seep into

Many scientific researchers have said that our environment has been filled with toxic chemicals, which us humans have had a part of. There are many different issues that should concern us surrounding these toxic chemicals. The major concern is that many of these toxic chemicals have been claimed to be causing damage to the health of humans and even other life forms. Another concern is that most of the theses toxic chemicals have just recently been produced; and by our environment changing everyday there is no telling what effects these toxic chemicals may have in the long run on the public 's health. Just about all of these toxic chemicals exist in the way they do because of humans. As humans we practice a lot of different activities that cause toxic chemicals to pollute our environment such as, agriculture, industrial, and many domestic activities as well. Many of the toxic chemicals that we produce and use don 't get used in a effective way, which causes them to be wasted, left abandoned, and disposed of. When toxic chemicals are not disposed of properly they effect the environment and the public 's health in a negative way.

Health is a re-ensuring concern in today’s world as technology has changed the way of life for many. Bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins (MNT, 2014). The key factor for ideal health is a suitable diet and the plastics and epoxy resins made from BPA are used to make a variety of consumer products many being food containers, baby products, water bottles, canned foods, and pop cans (Walters, 2011). BPA has allowed engineers to expand their scientific knowledge as this chemical has unique characteristics that offer high performance benefits in a wide range of consumer and industrial applications. However, though there are some advantages of BPA, the disadvantages are more

In contrast, plastic bottles used to hold drinking water contain dangerous materials such as Bisphenol A and phthalates, which can cause harm to your body. Bisphenol A, similarly known as BPA, is a harmful chemical that is used to make plastic hard and clear, also has been linked to several illnesses such as cancer and premature labor. It is also said that BPA holds an estrogen-like shape, making it easier for the chemical to attach to and interact with other hormone receptors and alter its function. Studies have furthermore shown that womankind that had BPA in their systems were 91% more likely to give birth before completing their third trimester. Phthalates, which are also commonly used in plastic production are also endocrine-disrupting chemicals. They can be linked as being one of the causes to reducing sperm count in males, abnormality and tumors, and etcetera. Not merely is it bad for our bodies as humans but also for the animals that call our oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers their home.

In order to fully understand the intensity of the issue, it is necessary to see how the prevalence of plastic has increased within modern society. The era of modern-day plastics began in the early 1930s with the creation of synthetic plastics such as polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These types of plastics can be used in a wide range of fields such as clothing, construction, packaging, and plumbing and as a result these are some of the most widely produced plastics globally. The growth of the plastic industry began during World War II, when countries such as the United States attempted to conserve precious resources such as metals by using other materials wherever possible. This led to a significant rise in plastic production due to companies using the inexpensive material to create parts for military vehicles and equipment and to provide metallic products with alternative products, for example using plastic wrap instead of aluminum foil. Once the war ended, chemical companies sought to earn the profit that was awaiting to be made from selling new plastic goods to consumers. As time went on, plastic became increasingly

Two other main chemicals that are in plastics are Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA). “Bisphenol A is considered an endocrine disruptor because it mimics estrogen, a natural hormone, and may fool the body by stimulating reactions that are unnecessary and potentially harmful.” Studies have shown that Bisphenol A leeks from plastics and waxes when they are exposed to high temperatures, and is used in so many daily products that we use every single day, such as baby bottles, recyclable water bottles, and microwaveable containers. Numerous amounts of people in advanced countries are exposed almost regularly to some level of Bisphenol A. Marine life will suffocate on waste by eating it, and being tangled in trash. When animals are tangled, it affects the normal growth patterns in their lifetime. All of the plastic in oceans have harmful chemicals that can not only involve marine life but humans too. The most common plastics are cigarette butts, plastic water bottle caps, and Styrofoam pieces.

Eventhough animal studies are not a perfect analog to human health but results or findings from animal studies are currently the best source of information available regarding the health effects of phthalates. In laboratory animals, phthalates and their metabolites produced reproductive and developmental toxicities. She also conclude that major toxic effects of phthalates include testicular effects, reduced anogenital distance in males, embryolethality, fetal malformations and abnormal sexual