Statement

Scientific Studies Do Not Support Suggested Links Between Phthalates and Autism

ARLINGTON, VA (June 11, 2009) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today responded to a study by Bornehag et al. to be published in NeuroToxicology. 

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

“Autism is a serious disease that deserves concentrated and systematic efforts from the scientific community to examine its cause and implement effective treatments.  However, we want to be clear that no studies have demonstrated a causal link between phthalates and autism. One study conducted by Swedish and U.S. researchers looked at the association between indoor environmental factors and autism.  The authors speculated that phthalates in PVC flooring may be among potential factors, but cautioned that the findings were ‘far from conclusive’ and ‘not readily explicable.’  In short, scientific studies have not demonstrated a causal link between exposure to phthalates and autism.”

Learn more about phthalates.