Phthalates can also be used as solvents for other materials, and are used in hundreds of consumer products that we come into contact with every day.
Other places you can find phthalates are in perfume, hair spray, deodorant, nail polish, insect repellent, carpeting, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, raincoats, plastic toys, food packaging and your steering wheels, and dashboards of most cars.
Phthalates are found in our food and water, as well, mostly dairy (likely due to the plastic tubing used to collect the milk), meats (poultry tends to carry more than red meats), cheeses and fruits and veggies that have been sprayed by pesticides. Unfiltered water will likely contain some, as well.
Here are some things you can do to limit your exposure:
- Opt for clean beauty products such as #beautycounter or see this list!
- Read up on products before purchasing them to avoid VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
- Eat organic fruits and veggies, filter your water.
- Consider eating more plant-based and switching out dairy for plant-based milk every once in a while. People who eat diets rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds have lower levels of phthalates in their blood than do people who eat more animal foods (dairy and meat).[ii]
[i] https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Phthalates_FactSheet.html
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