It’s hard to go a single day without reading alarming stories falsely linking phthalate exposure with some alleged human health hazard.

We say “falsely” because credible experts and federal regulators alike have consistently found that these plasticizers are safe at common, every day exposure levels. Despite this robust scientific consensus, the press routinely publishes misleading news reports claiming phthalates cause dozens of maladies.

Consider this recent story, “Phthalates cause uterine fibroids, in vitro study confirms,” authored by Kristen Fischer and published by Mother.ly. The article contains a number of deceiving claims about phthalates and PVC. Let's briefly clear up Fischer's confusion.

Phthalate safety: what you should know

First, the new study focuses on a single phthalate called di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP. Fischer summarizes the results as follows:

“In the report, the researchers found that women who were exposed a lot to … DEHP … had a high risk for having a symptomatic fibroid … DEHP is just one phthalate, but it’s the most widely used one.”

Fischer fails to clarify in her piece that in the United States, DEHP is primarily utilized in sterile and critical medical devices such as blood bags and plasma storage containers, not for food-contact uses.

Regarding any exposure to phthalates in the diet, determinations by U.S. regulators have affirmed the safety of phthalates in food packaging. A 2018 report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on phthalates used in common food-contact materials noted:

“There have been no studies to date which show any connection between human dietary exposure to phthalates and adverse health effects.” And in May 2022, after years of analysis, the FDA added that it did “not have a basis to conclude that dietary levels from approved ortho-phthalates exceed a safe level.”

The FDA also noted that diethylphthalate (DEP), the only phthalate commonly used in cosmetic products, is unlikely to pose a risk to consumers. “Based on currently available safety information,” the agency also wrote in May 2022, “the FDA does not have safety concerns with the use of DEP as currently used in cosmetics and fragrances.”

This product contains phthalates?

Beyond ignoring key regulatory determinations about phthalate safety, Fischer implies that Americans are exposed to greater quantities of these plasticizers than they really are. She claims that consumers can identify which plastic products contain phthalates by looking for certain markings that are molded into these items. “Check for a number 3 inside the universal recycling symbol along with the 'V' or 'PVC' below the arrows,” she suggests.

This description leads readers to believe that all PVC products contain phthalates—which is false. Rigid PVC products, including most flexible-wall plastic containers, and most, if not all, PVC storage containers and food wraps, do not.

We followed up with Fischer to make her aware of these points on January 9th. She ignored us. So here we are, yet again, correcting another story that seeks to scare people about PVC and phthalates when the facts, reaffirmed by U.S. regulators, show there’s nothing to worry about.

The ultimate problem with Fischer's story is that it unnecessarily urges readers to fear products that have been safely used and thoroughly studied by experts for more than 50 years.