Phthalates: Dangerous for Your Kids?




RadioMD (All Shows) show

Summary: Phthalates are found in food containers that you probably use every day. But could they be dangerous for your kids' health?Phthalates are found in food containers that you probably use every day. But could they be dangerous for your kids' health? In some groups of adolescents, the appearance of these environmental chemicals has been associated with insulin resistance. And insulin resistance has been linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So, in effect, could the products you're feeding your kids eventually lead them to these potentially deadly diseases? What products contain phthalates and how do they get into your body? Dr. Leonardo Transande, MD, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to shed some light on phthalates in your home and how they might be hurting your child's health. He also shares alternatives to phthalate-containing plastics for food packaging, such as waxed paper and aluminum foil.