Here I am again with my natural products spiel. But it is so important! Cancer of every kind is on the rise. And many many hormone disrupting chemicals are in our lotions and other products, and these toxins contribute to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, learning disabilities and preterm birth (to name a few).

Another study has just come out linking exposure to phthalates during pregnancy with preterm birth. Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death.

Phthlates are chemicals used to make plastics flexible and soft.

They compared women who gave birth spontaneously before 37 weeks with those who carried their babies to term by analyzing urine samples 3 times during pregnancy for levels of phthalate metabolites.

From JAMA Pediatrics:

“Conclusions and Relevance  Women exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have significantly increased odds of delivering preterm. Steps should be taken to decrease maternal exposure to phthalates during pregnancy.”

It is crystal clear. Here are 8 ways to avoid phthalates for our health, and the health of our babies:

1. Check the labels of your products. Phthlates show us as DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate)  in nail polishes, deodorants, perfumes and cologne, aftershave lotions, shampoos, hair gels and hand lotions. BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) is also used.

2. Check the products you use in the Skin Deep Database.

3. Use glass for drinking, eating, food storage, etc. Also buy food packaged in glass as an alternative to plastic or cans.

4. Look for fragrance free products- many phthalates hide under the term “fragrance”.

5. Make your own skin care products out of items in your kitchen! Think oatmeal scrubs, olive oil moisturizer, etc.

6. When using plastic, look at the recycling code on the bottom- 3 or 7 are most likely to contain phthalates.

7. Never microwave in plastic, as the plastic leaches into the food.

8. Don’t put plastic in the dishwasher- the extreme heat breaks down the plastic and makes it easier to ingest.