Blog Post

Phthalates Found in Baby Care Products


February 05, 2008
Topic: Products Liability

It's high time we stopped introducing chemical additives to products before they have been adequately tested, instead of using the public as human guinea pigs.

A recent study suggests that harmful chemicals called phthalates are present in baby lotions, shampoos and powders. According to the tests, babies who had recently been shampooed, bathed or powdered with baby products had a higher concentration of phthalates in their urine. There is enough data to suggest that we should be taking evidence of such a study seriously. It's quite fashionable these days to dismiss any sort of studies that come up regarding the harmful effects of chemicals or other substances, and while there may be chemical contaminations that have very low likelihood of danger, these baby products don't fall in that category.

When you have young babies in the equation, you are looking at possible health risks or complications that will only increase as the babies get older. Something like phthalates contamination could have serious health repercussions.

There is still no solid evidence of what dangers these phthalates could cause to a baby's health but animal studies have shown a link between exposure to phthalates and reproductive issues in both boys and girls. These problems could include early puberty in girls.

The environmental group that's behind the study says there isn't any real need for all kinds of fancy soaps, lotions and small quantities of water and soap are more than enough to get a baby clean. They warn against the indiscriminate use of baby products that have potentially risk-causing health effects.

The Food and Drug Administration has said they don't find the data compelling enough to take any action.

If you or a loved-one has been injured by a dangerous product, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury law firm. Contact an attorney at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.