Thinking Harder

Other Problem Plastics: Bisphenol A Isn't the Only Concern

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Posted: April 18, 2008

Bisphenol A, a major ingredient in polycarbonate plastic that's also used to preserve canned foods, is getting lots of bad publicity this week. But polycarbonate isn't the only kind of plastic that has health experts concerned; plasticizers called phthalates make some of them nervous, too.

Some scientists and parents have been worried for years about these chemicals (pronounced THAL-ates), which make certain plastics like vinyl pliable and are also used as solvents in cosmetic products. Groups like Greenpeace have been calling for bans of vinyl pacifiers and toys for at least a decade. (And here I thought toxic toys were the recent problem!)

The case against phthalates is hardly incontrovertible, as the American Chemistry Council, an industry group, has repeatedly emphasized on the site phthalates.org. Nevertheless, study after recent study has produced disconcerting evidence that these chemicals, which act like the hormone estrogen once inside the body, may alter childhood development and perhaps raise the risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other ills.

No wonder Congress has been working on legislation to ban phthalates from children's products.

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TOuwKYPYGNLJ

Great info. Thanks!

Sara of NC @ Dec 13, 2008 03:40:51 AM

Dr. Helen James

Let's see only double blind studies done by unfettered scientific groups, or CDC, not those sponsored by market/manufacturer ties.

Helen James of CO @ Apr 23, 2008 13:43:35 PM

Plastic

I would love to see your magazine do an in depth article on the problems with plastic. Most products, including food, household items, medical supplies, etc., come in plastic. Most plastic materials either off gas or leach chemicals out, especially when subjected to heat or cold. As William McDonough said, in his book "Cradle to Cradle", this is "product plus". You get the product plus a whole lot more stuff that you ever dreamed of - like antimony in plastic water bottles. I remember when plastic entered the consumer market back in the late 1960's and 70's. The glass industry ran a commercial on tv with the slogan "It's perfectly clear, glass is better." That slogan still fits today - perhaps more so.

Debra Norvil of IL @ Apr 21, 2008 11:41:16 AM

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Thinking Harder

This blog is the public workshop of U.S. News writer and editor Ben Harder. In articles published in the magazine, he has covered a range of sciences, including medicine, human behavior, prehistory, and evolution. Here, he can explore those and other scientific fields more fully and more informally than is possible in print. He'll share whatever seems noteworthy or potentially useful, and he invites readers to do the same.

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On Feb. 24, 2008, Ben discussed the link between artificial light and cancer on WTOP radio. Listen to the interview at WTOP News. He again talked about light pollution on WTOP on March 22, exploring its environmental effects.