Re: Phthalates

[DrBillC@aol.com]

All of us are concerned for our children, born or not yet born, and I think
most of us attempt to minimize the risks to them.  I certainly wish you and
your baby the best as you go toward week 40.

It is worth noting, however, that the evidence for estrogenicity of
phthalates is small; what there is appears to be on a phthalate that is used
virtually exclusively in flooring.  In addition, while the Tulane work on
synergistic effects is important it should be noted that 1) it is done in
yeast cells, not mammalian cells; 2) even with the synergy, the largest
effect seen is three orders of magnitude below that of estradiol and 3) no
phthalate was tested in that work.  It will be particularly interesting to
see if animals respond in the same way as transfected yeast cells do.

Bill Carroll
Chlorine Chemistry Council