The Holistic Health Warrior

Phthalates are chemicals which are used in everything from vinyl floors to plastic tubing and soaps and lotions. They are pervasive in the environment and have increasingly become associated with changes in the development of the male brain as well as with genital defects, metabolic abnormalities and reduced testosterone in babies and adults.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Andrology, elevated levels of phthalates in pregnant women’s urine are linked to less masculine play behavior by their sons several years later. 

A team of U.S. and British researchers posed a standard play questionnaire to the parents of 145 preschool-age children. Then they ranked the types of play on a scale from most masculine (such as play fighting or using trucks) to most feminine.

An effect was identified among the sons of women with higher concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in their prenatal urine. On average, those boys scored 8 percent further away from the masculine end of the scale than other boys.

Some would argue that less masculine play behavior is not and should not be considered a problem. Perhaps not, but the following more serious birth defects should be of concern:

• Infertility
• Decreased sperm count
• Undescended testes
• Malformation of the male genitals

So the important thing to remember, especially when pregnant, many things can affect the baby. Even the things that come in contact with our skin. 

Sources:

http://saferchemicals.org/chemicals/phthalates/

http://mercola.com

To Your Great Health!