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Phthalates are recognized as reproductive toxins and carcinogenic substances. A recent study highlights the ongoing exposure of Southern Californians to hazardous air pollutants known as plasticizers, including a chemical that has been prohibited in children’s products and cosmetics. Plasticizers are chemical compounds that make materials more flexible. They are used in a wide variety of products ranging from lunchboxes and shower curtains to garden hoses and upholstery. “It’s not just for drinking straws and grocery bags,” said David Volz. Previous California monitoring programs focused on plasticizers called ortho-phthalates, some of which were phased out of manufacturing processes due to health...

Researchers have discovered that plasticizers DEHP and DINP have negative effects on normal brain function in vertebrates. These plasticizers are used in products such as PVC, paints, and cosmetics. Phthalates are among the most commonly used plasticizers. However, plasticizers often leach from products over time, entering the environment and making their way into the human body via food, clothing, and dust. DEHP, in particular, has been proven to have severe impacts on development and reproduction, which is why it has been replaced in many instances by DINP, which is considered to be a safer alternative. Recent studies, however, have shown...