Research done by epidemiologist Shanna H. Swan of the University of Missouri in Columbia suggested that mother's who had boys and were subjected to phthalates, had subtle differences in an abnormality in a measurement known as the anogenital distance. This measurement is used by biologists to determine any hormonal disruption in fetal development. The change made the boys develop similarly to females.

The other interesting finding of this study was that the higher the urinary levels of phthalates found, the greater the changes in the boys anogenital distance. The sons of women with the highest phthalate concentrations in their urine were seven times as likely to have anogenital distances closer to females that those with the lower concentrations. One of the more disturbing aspects of this study was that all women studied had at least a trace of phthalates.

In the past, phthalate exposure has been linked to aberrant sperm in men and shortened pregnancy in women as well as having been implicated in numerous endocrine disorders. This ubiquitous chemical is used as a plasticizer, making cosmetics and many other modern products. While phthalic acid has been considered safe at low levels, recent research is saying otherwise.

How can you assess your level of exposure to phthalates? Until recently, there were two choices: a fat biopsy (painful and very expensive) and blood testing (also somewhat expensive). Recently, Carbon Based Corporation made an Environmental Toxicity Assessment available through U.S. BioTek using a first morning urine sample. This easy and inexpensive test will not only measure phthalates but xylene, toluene, styrene, trimethlybenzene, and benzene along with an urban toxicity index. Call us today for more details.