Diethylhexyl phthalate

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)is a chemical that makes plastic soft and flexible. DEHP belongs to a family of substances called phthalates, and although there are more than 15 different phthalates used in conjunction with plastic packaging, DEHP is the most common. Although DEHP is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a probable cancer-causing agent, it continues to be used in a wide variety of consumer products, including plastics used to package food, upholstery foam, tablecloths, shower curtains, flooring, clothing items such as rainwear and footwear, childrens toys and products made with imitation leather.

DEHP lowers cellular energy production and disrupts cells ability to relay information both within the cell and to other cells, which promotes inflammation, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, aging and cancer.

The most significant source of DEHP exposure is from contaminated food and water. Contamination can be caused by foods being packaged, stored or heated in DEHP-containing plastic wraps or plastic containers. Because DEHP is very soluble in fats, fat or oil-based foods are more susceptible to contamination. Fish and seafood are capable of bioconcentrating DEHP, so exposure to this chemical may also occur through the consumption of DEHP-contaminated fish and seafood. Additionally, drinking water has been found to contain DEHP, potentially from polyvinyl chloride pipes that contain DEHP or from contaminated ground water.

Environmental sources of exposure include skin contact with DEHP-containing products and air that may contain this chemical subsequent to its off-gassing from soft plastic furnishings or fixtures. Additionally, DEHP has been found to be able to migrate into blood from the plastic blood bags used during blood transfusions and dialysis.

Although not enough research has been conducted involving humans to clearly establish DEHP as a carcinogen (chemical capable of causing cancer), because there is sufficient evidence that it is carcinogenic to animals, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies DEHP as a probable human carcinogen. Some of its potential carcinogenicity may come from its ability to cause toxic disruption of cell signaling, a process where chemical information is transferred from one cell to the other or between different structures within the same cell.

Improper cellular communication has not only been linked to the development of atherosclerosis, inflammation and psoriasis but researchers also believe that poor communication between cells may be one of the causes of the excessive growth of cells, a condition which eventually leads to cancer.

DEHP has also been shown to disrupt a cellular energy-producing process known as phosphorylation, with the result that less cellular energy is available to power the cells, and therefore, the body. DEHP has also been shown to cause changes in the number of chromosomes, the genetic material in our cells, a condition that has been associated with the development of diseases and the aging process.

Since DEHP makes plastics soft and flexible, it is widely used in many consumer plastic products including household plastic containers and wrapping materials, upholstery foam, tablecloths, shower curtains, flooring, and clothing items such as rainwear and footwear. DEHP may also be found in childrens toys and products made with imitation leather.

The most significant source of DEHP exposure is from contaminated food and water. Contamination can be caused by foods being packaged, stored or heated in DEHP-containing plastic wraps or plastic containers. Owing to DEHPs high solubility in fat, fat or oil-based foods are more susceptible to contamination. As fish and seafood are capable of bioconcentrating DEHP, dietary exposure may also occur through the consumption of DEHP-contaminated fish and seafood. Additionally, drinking water has been found to contain DEHP, potentially from polyvinyl chloride pipes that contain DEHP or from contaminated ground water. Non-dietary sources of exposure include skin contact with DEHP-containing products and ambient air that may contain this chemical subsequent to its off-gassing from soft plastic furnishings or fixtures. Additionally, DEHP has been found to be able to migrate into blood from the plastic blood bags used during blood transfusions and dialysis.

Probable human carcinogen

Although there has not been enough research conducted involving humans to clearly establish DEHP as a carcinogen (chemical capable of causing cancer), reflecting that there is sufficient evidence that it is carcinogenic to animals, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies DEHP as a probable human carcinogen. Some of its potential carcinogenicity may come from its ability to cause toxic disruption of cell signaling, a process where chemical information is transferred from one cell to the other or between different structures within the same cell. Improper cellular communication has not only been linked to the development of atherosclerosis, inflammation and psoriasis but researchers also believe that poor communication between cells may be one of the causes of the overproliferation of cells, a condition which eventually leads to cancer. DEHP has been shown to be capable of uncoupling a cellular energy-producing process known as phosphorylation with the result being a diminished supply of cellular energy available to power the cells, and therefore, the body. It has also been shown to cause changes in the number of chromosomes, the genetic material in our cells, a condition that has been associated with the development of diseases and the aging process.