DIETHYL PHTHALATE
I’m going to enlighten you on Diethyl Phthalate in perfume, for those who love to smell fantastic all the time! Diethyl phthalate is a colorless liquid that has a bitter, bad taste (Janice, n.d, p. 1). Diethyl phthalates are found in fragrances, cosmetics, plastics, and many more things. It acts as a fixative, which means it stabilizes the odor and smell.
Now let’s get into the process of making diethyl phthalate and don’t worry if you can’t understand this because neither did I. So here we go! Phthalates are produced by combining specific acids and alcohol in a complicated reaction. That wasn’t so bad, was it?
Now that you know the basis of diethyl phthalate, do you know some of the health effects?
Some minor effects include irritation to the eyes and skin and dizziness. Some major effects (rare) are birth defects and damage to sperm. Most of us are exposed to diethyl phthalates everyday like in plastics, inhalation of contaminated air and swallowing contaminated water or foods. But don’t worry!! The levels of phthalates in water, soil and air are quite low (“Agency Toxic,” 1995, p. 1).
However, do you find yourself plugging your nose when someone walks into the room? More and more people are sensitive to perfume in the workplace, hospitals and schools.The reason why this is a big controversy is because people are claiming to have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder where they get severe headaches, breathing difficulties and more (Boscio, n.d., p. 1). Alternatives to perfumes (diethyl phthalate) are more natural and environmentally friendly. (“Phthalates And Alternatives,” 2011, p. 12).
Are you still wondering if you can wear perfume? Of course you can! It will only make you smell better, and guess what?! I spray over 5 bottles on me a day and I’m still fine; I’m sure you will be to. However, if you drink it or bathe in it, it may cause serious side effects like those mentioned above. If you are sensitive or allergic to the smell then you will have to go with an alternative.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. (1995). Retrieved October 20, 2016, from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=601&tid=112
Boscio, C. (n.d.). This Stinks: The Dangers of Perfume. Retrieved October 23, 2016, from http://eluxemagazine.com/beauty/a-whiff-of-controversy-toxic-perfume/
Phthalates And Their Alternatives: Health and Environmental Concern. (2011). Retrieved October 24, 2016, from http://www.sustainableproduction.org/downloads/PhthalateAlternatives-January2011.pdf
Janice, B. (n.d). Fact Sheet on Phthalates. Retrieved October 22, 2016, from http://www.bcerc.org/COTCpubs/BCERC.FactSheet_Phthalates.pdf
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