What are phtalates?

Phtalates are a group of chemicals derived from phtalic acid, and they are used and mixed with plastics to increase their properties, like the flexibility, transparency, durability and longevity. They are divided in two different groups, with different applications, toxicological properties and classification, based on the number of atoms in their alcohol chain. They are mainly used to soften polyvynil chloride (PVC).



 














Phtalates are used in cosmetics and personal care products, such as perfume, hair spray, soap, shampoo, nail polish and skin moisturizers. They are also used in consumer products such as baby's toys, shower curtains, wallpaper, food packaging and plastic wrap. We can also find them in wood finishes, detergents, adhesives, plastic pumping pipes, lubricants, medical tubing, solvents, insecticides, medical devices, building materials and vinyl flooring. 

           Food packaging                                                                                    Cosmetics

Phtalates are dangerous not only for the environment, they are also dangerous for health. They destroy natural ecosystems, they pollute the natural resources and they reduce the area of available land space on Earth. Phtalates are also dangerous for our organism. They affect reproductive organs and hormones, especially in males. Some phtalates have been linked to breast and other cancers, allergies, obesity, thyroid, and other hormonal infections. However, the health effects of phtalates are not yet fully known, but are being studied by several government agencies, including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.   

In this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay-y3tSYGYw) two young scientists are trying to decompose phtalates using bacteria. Their idea is that bacteria have evolved and they are able to eat phtalates, and decompose them. In my opinion, I think their work is another example that not always accidents are bad for us. Their discovery of bacteria that can decompose phtalates is very interesting, not only because we can reduce the amount of this toxic substances, but also because they have shown that nature can evolve and adapt to nearly every change that it suffers. Maybe in a few years, we will be able to clean our seas and rivers, and our planet would be cleaner and less polluted.

Talking about accidents. An accident is something that happens without being planned previously, and they usually tend to be harmful and destroying. But not always accidents have been bad for us. For example, if the biologist Alexander Fleming accident with mould hadn't happened, he wouldn't have discovered the penicillin. And now, fortunately, penicillin has helped to solve many bacterial infections. In the video I've talked about, the two girls have many accident during their investigation, and thanks to these accidents, they have discovered the bacteria that can decompose phtalates. In conclusion, accidents are not always bad for us!                                                                                

                                                                               Alexander Fleming                       

                                                      

Penicillin