Phthalates in Infant Skin Care Products

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics finds evidence that infants are absorbing phthalates, chemicals widely used in baby products, through the skin. Phthalates have been found in recent studies to have toxic effects on the developing endocrine and reproductive system. The research team in this study tested urinary concentrations of 163 infants, finding that all of the samples contained at least one phthalate at measurable levels, and 80 percent contained measurable amounts of at least seven types of phthalates. The associations between the use of phthalate-containing baby products – such as shampoos, lotions and powders – and urine concentrations were strongest in infants younger than eight months old, whose immature metabolic systems may make them most vulnerable to toxicity. Currently, manufacturers in the US are not required to label the phthalate content of products. The authors suggest that parents limit the amount of infant care products they use, and apply lotions or powders only if medically necessary. Parents can also look for baby products whose labels specifically state that they are “phthalate-free.” For the abstract, go to http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/2/e260