Baby products linked to phthalates in infants
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Use of shampoo, lotion and powder for babies are linked to higher levels of phthalates in infants in study published Feb. 4 in the journal Pediatrics. The study, "Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure," by Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, et al., University of Washington, tested urinary concentrations of nine phthalates in 163 infants. All samples contained at least one phthalate at measurable levels, and 80% had at least seven types of the chemical. Skin absorption is cited as a major route of exposure, though children can be exposed to phthalates via multiple sources. Infants younger than eight months are at higher risk for reproductive and developmental toxicity caused by the chemical due to their immature metabolic systems and higher body-surface-area-to-volume ratio than that of older children, researchers say. They recommend that parents limit the number of baby-care products they use in order to minimize exposure...