Statement

Animal Studies Show No Connection Between Phthalates and Bone Density Problems

ARLINGTON, VA (June 16, 2009) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today responded to a phthalate effect study on mouse and rat osteoblasts by Sabbieti et al. 

ACC Managing Director, Chris Bryant, issued the following statement:

“What the researchers did to bone cells in their culture dishes is not what happens in living things.  The researchers exposed the bone cells to full, intact phthalate molecules.  But living organisms exposed to phthalates almost immediately break them up into smaller molecules that behave in a very different way.  Thus exposing cells in a dish to the whole molecule isn’t relevant to the way humans are actually exposed to phthalates in the real world.  Moreover, decades of long-term animal studies show no connection between phthalate exposure and skeletal problems.

Based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies, average phthalates exposures are far below levels of concern as set by U.S. Federal Agencies.  Phthalates are among the most thoroughly studied family of compounds in the world and have a long history of safe use.”

Learn more about phthalates.