Do phthalates in scented lotions affect hormones?
Yes. Phthalates leach from soft plastics into food and are absorbed from products like vinyl flooring.
What's actually in it
Phthalates are plasticizers added to PVC and other flexible plastics to make them soft and durable. They're in vinyl flooring, shower curtains, food packaging, personal care products, and toys.
Phthalates don't chemically bond to plastic, so they leach out over time, especially from heat, oily food contact, or aging. They are found in virtually everyone's urine when tested.
What the research says
A 2026 study in toxicology found that epub 2026 Feb Micro-nanoplastics in the central nervous system: Evidence, mechanisms and Pei Z(1), Zhong H(1), Li X(2), Guo S(3), Wang T(4)..
(1)Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-nanoplastics in the central nervous system: Evidence, mechanisms and perspectives. | Toxicology | 2026 |
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