Study questions use of phthalates in baby products

In caring for a new baby, many parents reach for a host of products that claim to be formulated for tender skin and other infant vulnerabilities. But authors of a study published in a recent edition of Pediatrics say their findings suggest that some of these formulas may expose children to a number of chemicals called phthalates, a group of chemicals that may pose long-term risks to the development of the reproductive and endocrine systems that regulate a child's metabolism and hormone functions. Some of these same chemicals have been banned for various uses in the European Union, and California has placed restrictions on certain children's products that take effect next year.

In the Pediatrics study, researchers tested urinary concentrations of nine different phthalate metabolites in 163 infants. The urine samples from all of the babies contained at least one phthalate at measurable levels—and more than 80 percent of the samples had measurable amounts of at least seven types of phthalates. Phthalates are used to stabilize fragrances and to make plastics flexible and can be found in many common household products. Some of these chemicals were voluntarily removed from soft vinyl baby toys in the late 1990s over concerns that they were toxic. Still, their use in personal care and other products has continued.

The test results surprised Sheela Sathyanarayana M.D., one of the authors of the study and an acting professor in pediatrics at the University of Washington. "I had expected the youngest infants to have very low concentrations of phthalates in their urine because newborns have decreased exposures to everything in the environment because they are not crawling or walking," she said.

Comparing the samples with questionnaires that the parents filled out about use of lotion, powder, shampoo, diaper cream and baby wipes in the 24 hours before the urine was collected, the researchers noted increased concentrations of two particular phthalates: monoethyl phthalate and monomethyl phthalate in those infants who had been rubbed with baby lotion. Increased concentration of monoisobutyl phthalate was found in those babies who had been exposed to baby powder while monomethyl phthalate was associated with baby shampoo. The associations were strongest in infants younger than eight months old.  No significant link was found between phthalate exposure and the use of baby wipes and diaper creams such as Desitin

Unfortunately,  it is unclear whether the lotions, powders and shampoos contain phthalates or if they were the main source of exposure because makers of those products are not required to list phthalate ingredients on the labels and the University of Washington study did not include tests of the products that were used on the babies in the study.  As the study notes, and Consumers Union tests of perfumes recently found, phthalates are commonly found in adult personal-care products. The findings from the urine samples suggest they may be in baby products as well, though it's possible that parents' use of adult personal care products and other items around the babies may have contributed to exposures.

The authors of the study say that young infants are more vulnerable to phthalates because they have a larger body surface area to volume compared to adults. Given these findings, they recommend that caregivers limit the use of infant care products, especially for younger infants, only applying lotions and powders for medical reasons.

More on babies and kids
To read more on health and safety issues affecting children, read our Babies & Kids blog.