Dr. Spahr Speaks!

Recent media reports that high levels in women linked to Type II Diabetes. What are they, why should you care, How to protect yourself.

1. Products used in plastics, cosmetics, cleaning compounds, deodorants. Plastic wrap, IV tubing, plastic storage containers.
2. Ubiquitous. Found everywhere
3. Androgen blocking and estrogen enhancing. -
4. Implicated in male infertility and male birth defects.
5. Turns on estrogen receptors to increase weight

Three tips for identifying products that have, or are likely to have, phthalates or another compound that has raised similar concerns and is found in similar products, Bisphenol A.
1. Read the ingredients. you can identify phthalates in some products by their chemical names, or abbreviations:

• DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are often found in personal care products, including nail polishes, deodorants, perfumes and cologne, aftershave lotions, shampoos, hair gels and hand lotions. (BzBP, see below, is also in some personal care products.
• DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is used in PVC plastics, including some medical devices.
• BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) is used in some flooring, car products and personal care products.
• DMP (dimethyl phthalate) is used in insect repellent and some plastics (as well as rocket propellant)

1.    Be wary of the term "fragrance," which is used to denote a combination of compounds, possibly including phthatates, which are a subject of recent concern because of studies showing they can mimic certain hormones.

2.    Choose plastics with the recycling code 1, 2 or 5. Recycling codes 3 and 7 are more likely to contain bisphenol A or phthalates.

3.    Try to only use products labeled phthatate free.