Phthalates: Toxic Plastic Chemicals Linked to Emasculated Brains in Boys

Posted on November 16, 2009 in Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine, Parenting, Recent Studies, The Environment, Women's Health

Boys who as fetuses were exposed to plastic chemicals called phthalates may later experience emasculated brain development, a new study says.

Researchers from the University of Rochester’s Medical Center for Reproductive Epidemiology said the chemicals, which are widely used to make soft plastics, may negatively interact with testosterone, the hormone which is important to producing the masculine brain.

The study focused on 145 preschool children and found boys born to women with higher levels of the chemicals in their prenatal urine were less likely to play with trucks or play fight, which are toys and games typically associated with boys.

“Our results need to be confirmed, but are intriguing on several fronts,” researchers said in a statement, according to UPI news. “Not only are they consistent with our prior findings that link phthalates to altered male genital development, but they also are compatible with current knowledge about how hormones mold sex differences in the brain and thus behavior. We have more work to do, but the implications are potentially profound.”

The study’s findings were published in the International Journal of Andrology, UPI reports.

Concerns about serious health problems from exposure to phthalates have led to bans on the chemicals in teethers, play bath items, soft books, dolls, plastic figures, and other children’s products. Recent research also has found many people are exposed to phthalates through food and food packaging.