Statement

Suggested Link Between Phthalates and Obesity Not Supported by Scientific Evidence

ARLINGTON, VA (June 24, 2009) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today responded to a study by Teitelbaum et al. on childhood obesity. 

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

“This study by Teitelbaum et al makes no claim that exposure to phthalates causes an increase in weight.  The authors clearly report only a very preliminary statistical correlation between weight and phthalate exposure, and note further study is required.  The study involves no actual laboratory research, but just mathematical analysis.

"Moreover, the suggestion of an obesity link is implausible in biological terms.  Ongoing animal studies have shown that the phthalate in question, diethyl phthalate (DEP), has very minimal biological activity in living organisms.  We are not aware of any scientific evidence from decades of animal studies that links DEP, or any phthalate for that matter, to an increase in weight.”

Learn more about phthalates.