Silent Spring

Study of the Effects of Phthalates on the Behaviour of Young Boys

The study was published in the International Journal of Andrology was led by Dr. Shanna Swan at the University of Rochester in New York. The basis of the study was quite simple. Samples of urine were taken from a group of women that were in their 28th week of pregnancy and was tested for phthalates.

The group of mothers who gave birth to 71 girls and 74 boys were then contacted when their children were about 4-7 years of age.

They were asked about the toys and the activities that their children enjoyed most. The study discovered that the mothers who had higher concentrations of the common phthalates –DEEHP and DBP- gave birth to boys that generally preferred feminine play.

High presence of the chemicals had no impact on the girls.

The higher phthalate boys often preferred gender neutral activities and were less likely to play with traditional male toys such as guns, cars and trains.

This is a shocking and very worrying conclusion. Though the results themselves are not conclusive it does reinforce our worst fears concerning the possible effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. The developing foetus is extremely sensitive to the effects of chemicals that mimic hormones. Unfortunately, these common chemicals have become unwanted components of our bodies. We couldn’t avoid them if we tried. Everywhere we look there is something that contains one type of plastic or another that is leaching phthalates, bisphenol A, nonylphenol etc… the list goes on.

Our only option is to try and limit our exposure by taking sensible action that reduces our everyday interactions with chemical leaching plastics.

For more information go to: Silent Spring