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phthalates: are they safe?

Posted by on May 30, 2010 · 6 Comments 

Phthalates are a hot topic in the personal care and many other industries. 60 Minutes ran a great segment last Sunday on the phthalates.  Phthalates are found all around us in food, tap water, the air we breathe, plastics, household goods and many other products. The concern in personal care products centers around fragrance oils. They make fragrances linger longer and are found in many cosmetics and personal care products. It’s a common misconception that all synthetic fragrances contain phthalates. In the past few years, many fragrance suppliers have moved to supplying only phthalate free fragrance oils. As the video will show you, the science on the safety of phthalates is still inconclusive. 60 Minutes did a great job reporting on both sides of the story, interviewing doctors, researchers and businesses. The clip below is definitely worth a watch, or you can check out the full segment and commentary here.

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More about the author:  Kristin is the founder & CEO of The Grapeseed Company. She creates botanical beauty from the byproduct of wine in Santa Barbara, California using local and organic ingredients. Kristin blogs at GreenSkinCareBlog.com and operates two Grapeseed Company stores in California. Read more from this author

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  • SUSAN

    “It’s a common misconception that all synthetic fragrances contain phthalates. In the past few years, many fragrance suppliers have moved to supplying only phthalate free fragrance oils.”

    So they say, but since the actual ingredients in synthetic fragrances are kept hidden, we really only have their word that these so called phthalate-free fragrances are actually, phthalate free.

    But lets assume some actually are. To be blunt…so what? They are still toxic. Synthetic fragrances ARE POLLUTION; air pollution and water pollution and they serve no valuable purpose.

    95 percent of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxics and sensitizers, which are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.

    Musk Ambrette, whose chemical name is 2,6-dinitro-3-methoxy-4-tert-butyltoluene, is a common fixative ingredient that is currently added to fragrances in order to slow their evaporation, thereby making it more attractive to the consumer. It is found within most fragrances at a level of 1 to 3.5%. It damages connections between brain cells. Musks fragrance chemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative pollutants that are sometimes highly toxic; amino musk transformation products are toxicologically significant. Most wastewater treatment methods do not remove fragrance compounds, so they do end up in drinking water.

    Musk xylene, the most common industrial fragrance, was prohibited in Japan several years ago after traces of the compound were found in human body fat, breast milk and blood. Germany has placed a voluntary ban on musk xylene, although it's still widely used in the United States.

    “Concerns about the environmental impact of drug products and synthetic fragrances first surfaced about 10 years ago in Japan and Europe. “They were picking up pharmaceutical and personal care products in the wastewater flowing into rivers,” Epel said. “In Japan they found them in mussels and fish and discovered they are somewhat persistent – they don't break down.”
    Stanford University study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH): http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/15643.php

    The study also has implications for human health. “People have these same transporters in the blood-brain barrier, the placenta and the intestines,” Luckenbach explained. “Perhaps exposure to chemical fragrances could compromise the transporters, making it easier for pollutants to enter the brain, for example.”

  • http://greenskincareblog.com/ Kristin Fraser Cotte

    thanks for your comment Susan. Yes, you are correct about the fragrance ingredients disclosure and I appreciate you sharing your view and research. While I use only EOs in my own line, I still found the video very interesting in presenting the science behind phthalates. I'm wondering if you watched the video? We decided to post this because of the scientist interview in particular. In which she states the scientific evidence is inconclusive.

  • http://www.nochemicalcosmetics.com Karen Armitage

    thank you Susan, for more information on this controversial subject. It is my opinion we should be very cautious … (remember the tobacco industry!?) regarding the 'safe permissible level' that some scientists in the chemical industry claim. There is certainly more study needed, until then, I plan to ere on the side of caution where I have the power to do so.

  • SUSAN

    I actually watched it on 60 Minutes when it was first aired. I've been studying this subject for close to 20 years. In that time span I have met more and more people with severe chemical sensitivity, life altering, tragic and in most cases, could have been completely preventable.

    In many things in life there is a risk vs. benefit analysis that takes place; is the risk of using a product preserved with parabens worth the risk or should you choose another method, for example. With synthetic fragrances…there is only risk, and no benefit. Synthetic fragrance chemicals are air and water pollutants and they have measurable, tangible, health risks associated with them whether they contain phthalates or not. There is simply no reason they are not banned in public spaces like smoking cigarettes are banned.

  • http://greenskincareblog.com/ Kristin Fraser Cotte

    Yes, what you use on your skin is definitely your own choice, and you do have the power to exercise caution as you see fit! In America we can exercise that freedom of choice with our wallets when we purchase personal care products. Personal Care Truth is about providing scientific info- so people can make their own choices… that is precisely the point of this website. Some people make the choice to buy only organic or locally raised food, some don't. Personal care products should be the same.

    Personally, I use organic ingredients, essential oils and a solid preservative system in the products I make for my own company and purchase for my household (that I don't make, such as hair care) to limit my risk. It's all about what you feel comfortable with!

  • http://greenskincareblog.com/ Kristin Fraser Cotte

    Yes, what you use on your skin is definitely your own choice, and you do have the power to exercise caution as you see fit! In America we can exercise that freedom of choice with our wallets when we purchase personal care products. Personal Care Truth is about providing scientific info- so people can make their own choices… that is precisely the point of this website. Some people make the choice to buy only organic or locally raised food, some don't. Personal care products should be the same.

    Personally, I use organic ingredients, essential oils and a solid preservative system in the products I make for my own company and purchase for my household (that I don't make, such as hair care) to limit my risk. It's all about what you feel comfortable with!