A study reported in the International Journal of Andrology reported that ingredients in soft plastics are being absorbed by pregnant women and having a measurable effect on the masculinity of their boy children. These chemicals known as phthalates are found in most soft plastics such as vinyl floors, shower curtains, artificial carpeting, auto interiors, and food containers.
Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system of the mother and the infant boys. Almost all plastic children's products contain phthalates: toys, dishes, carseats, cribs--just think how much soft plastic is in your and your baby's environment.
There are so many phthalates in the human environment that they are finding their way into the countryside. A report issued by ChemTrust in December 2008 stated that some of the most prevalent effects reported in male wildlife, which are associated with pollutants, are related to genital disruption (GD). GD includes an array of manifestations. Notable amongst these are: intersex features (such as egg tissue in the testes of the male); small phallus; small testes; undescended testes or other obvious structural defects of the male reproductive tract; or ambiguous genitals. Genital disruption has been reported in males of some species of wild fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and to a lesser extent, birds. In addition, in egg laying species, including fish, reptiles, and birds, abnormal production of egg yolk protein, VTG, has been recorded in males.
In terms of human health the report goes on to say:
Taken together, the effects seen in wildlife should raise concerns for contaminant-induced genital disruption in human male infants. Indeed a condition called testicular dysgenesis syndrome, including birth defects of the penis of baby boys, cryptorchidism (undescended testes), reduced sperm production and testicular cancer, has been suggested, because there is evidence to indicate that these effects may be interlinked in causation.
There is not currently any studies that have followed the male children of phthalate exposed mothers into adulthood to see if there is a difference in fertility rates. In animal studies however, rodents were found to have smaller penises, smaller testes, and infertility.
