What Are Phthalates and How Do They Increase Risks of Birth Defects?

Birth Defects

Workers across a wide range of industries are exposed to chemicals that can quietly and dangerously impact their health—and the health of their families. That includes chemicals commonly used in plastics and personal care products known as phthalates.

What Are Phthalates and Why Are They Dangerous?

Invisible to the eye and undetectable by smell, phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable. They are commonly found in products like vinyl flooring, plastic packaging, medical tubing, personal care products (such as shampoos and lotions), and industrial solvents.

Scientific research has linked phthalate exposure to a number of serious health problems, particularly in developing fetuses. These chemicals are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with the body’s hormonal systems. Phthalate exposure during pregnancy has been associated with birth defects, low birth weight, developmental delays, and even fertility issues in both males and females.

Phthalate Exposure In the Workplace

Because of these risks, phthalates pose a serious threat not only to workers who are directly exposed, but also to their unborn children through secondary exposure. For example, a worker who handles phthalate-laden materials can unknowingly carry these chemicals home on their clothes, putting pregnant partners at risk.

Prenatal exposure has been linked to an increased risk of birth defects and developmental complications in children, including:

  • Preterm birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Developmental delays involving motor skills and language development

Occupations with High Risk of Phthalate Exposure

Workers in several industries are particularly vulnerable to phthalate exposure. These include:

  • Manufacturing and Plastics Processing: Employees in facilities that produce plastic goods, PVC materials, or plastic packaging often handle raw materials and machinery containing high levels of phthalates.
  • Construction: Many construction materials, such as vinyl flooring, adhesives, and sealants, contain phthalates. Workers may be exposed during installation, demolition, or renovation projects.
  • Automotive Industry: Assembly line workers and mechanics can come into contact with phthalates found in car interiors, dashboards, and wiring insulation, construction, aircraft manufacturing, electrical trades, and steel manufacturing.
  • Cosmetics and Personal Care Production: Employees involved in formulating or packaging personal care products may be exposed to phthalates used as solvents or fragrances.
  • Healthcare and Laboratory Settings: Medical devices, especially those made of flexible plastics like IV bags and tubing, often contain phthalates. Health care workers handling these devices are at risk.

Employer Responsibility: Protecting Workers and Families From Phthalates

Employers have both a legal and ethical responsibility to protect workers from known chemical hazards like phthalates. This responsibility doesn’t end at the workplace door. Employers must take steps to ensure that toxic exposures don’t follow workers home, where they can affect vulnerable family members.

At a minimum, employers should:

  • Provide personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Install proper ventilation systems
  • Educate employees about chemical risks and safe handling practices
  • Implement hygiene protocols, such as on-site showers and clean uniforms
  • Monitor chemical levels and comply with OSHA and EPA safety standards

When employers fail to take these precautions, they put lives at risk—not just those of their workers, but of unborn children and entire families. When businesses fail to protect workers from toxic chemicals like phthalates, victims can hold them financially responsible.

How We Help Birth Defects Victims

Seek justice with the help of our experienced birth defects attorneys. Our birth defect litigation attorneys have represented people like you affected by birth defects caused by toxic exposure, aggressively fighting the corporate giants who failed to protect vulnerable workers. If you or a loved one was exposed to chemicals while pregnant and now has a child who suffers from a life-altering birth defect like spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy, we can help.