‘60 Minutes’ Investigates If Phthalates Are Safe

May 24th, 2010 - 9:38 pm ICT by Pen Men At Work  

May 24, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The Sunday episode of ‘60 Minutes’ endeavored to find out if Phthalates, which are present in everyday plastics, are safe or not and whether they present a health hazard to human beings and also whether they can be a risk to the environment or not. Phthalates are utilized in the creation of shower curtains and are also present in the shampoos.

It has recently been placed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US in the catalog of chemicals that may present a risk to the health of individuals. It has been found that phthalates can modify the hormonal equilibrium in the human physique.

Recent investigations have demonstrated that it can gradually have an effect on the masculinity of males. The substantiation behind this is not yet irrefutable but, on the justification of individual protection, the American Congress has proscribed certain phthalates from being utilized in children’s toys.

The rationale for the ban is the study that equated the levels of phthalates in pregnant females with the health of their baby boys after birth. The study arrived at the conclusion that the higher level of phthalates in the pregnant women’s urine amplified the rate of hypospadias in the baby boys. These baby boys were found to be less manly including having malformed sexual organs.

The show is being censured, however, for failing to scrupulously scrutinize the claims against phthalates, and creating uncorroborated health scares in homes nationwide.

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