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Have you ever read the label "BPA-free" and wondered what that could mean? Or considered what a phthalate was (and even just how to say it)? Find out what these plasticizers mean from OB-GYN Jennifer Griffin Miller, MD, MPH, as well as how to avoid them. 

Phthalates, pronounced ph-tha-lates,and bisphenol A or BPA, are both plasticizers. Manufacturers add plasticizers to a material to make it softer, more flexible, more durable or some other improvement.

"These plasticizers are found in things we use every day, like water bottles, baby toys or takeout boxes," explains Dr. Griffin Miller. "Your beauty products, like shampoo bottles or facial creams, may also contain phthalates or BPA."

Potential names of common plasticizers include: 

Both phthalates and BPA are endocrine disruptors. That means they can interact with our bodies the way normal hormones can. 

"Any hormone in our body is part of the endocrine system," explains Dr. Griffin Miller. "Estrogen, testosterone and other hormones are chemical messengers that regulate specific body functions."

Your body has estrogen and progesterone receptors, as part of your normal endocrine system. Your body makes and sends hormones, like estrogen or progesterone, to interact with those receptors. When hormones interact with their receptor, that's how they send messages and make changes in the body. But plasticizers can send messages, too.

"Phthalates are chemicals that have the potential to interact with a hormone receptor," says Dr. Griffin Miller. The receptor is only supposed to respond to its hormone, but the phthalate can interact with it as well. That's how phthalates disrupt key body functions – by sending signals that aren't supposed to be there.

Plasticizers like phthalates and BPA are most likely to be found in plastic products, says OB-GYN Jennifer Griffin Miller, MD. "BPA is found more in food can lining and water bottles," says Dr. Griffin Miller. "Phthalates are used more in food packages, beauty or skin care bottles and anything vinyl."

Documented effects of BPA include:

Research has linked phthalates to these health issues:

"BPA is found more in food can lining and water bottles," says Dr. Griffin Miller. "Phthalates are used more in food packages, beauty or skin care bottles and anything vinyl."

They can also be hidden in food product packaging. For example, phthalates often line the inside of aluminum cans to prevent the metal aluminum from leaching into the food. "They'll line the can with a plastic to prevent the product from bleaching metal, but then there's the potential of leaching the plasticizer into the food instead," explains Dr. Griffin Miller. "More acidic canned foods have a higher chance of plasticizer leaching."

Plasticizers like phthalates and BPA are most likely to be found in plastic products. "In general, the less you can use plastics, the better," says Dr. Griffin Miller.

Children ages three and younger have a higher risk from plasticizers because of their smaller sizes and developing bodies. Babies also tend to explore their environment by putting objects in their mouths. Look at the packaging of a container for words like "BPA free" or "phthalates free." 

Avoid personal care products that contain "fragrance" or "perfume." The word fragrance is considered a trade secret, and the FDA doesn't regulate what it means. Fragrance or perfume can mean added phthalates since they can help a scent last longer. Choose packaging labeled

"DBP-free" or "toxic trio free" on the following items:

Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers and don't drink hot liquids out of plastic containers. Phthalates leach out more with heat. Microwaveable steam bags are specially designed for microwave use and should be BPA and phthalate free.  

Also avoid packages with the recycling number "7" or "3" on the bottom – it means a plasticizer was used.

Plasticizers are most commonly found in these products:

To avoid any plastic mixups, switch your plastic food containers out entirely. Try glass, steel or porcelain, all of which don't contain phthalates or BPA. 

Read the labels of these home goods to see if plasticizers are present. 

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