Nearly impossible to pronounce and nearly impossible to avoid, phthalates are a group of chemicals used in a wide range of household, industrial, and medical products, primarily as plasticizers-they make plastics such as vinyl (found in shower curtains, toys, flooring, and the like) soft and flexible. They are also used as solvents in many cosmetics and perfumes. Just how harmful phthalates are to human health is unclear. Although laboratory tests have shown them to cause endocrine disruption and other problems in animals, it isn't known whether these risks translate to humans. As such, the Food and Drug Administration and other U.S. agencies have not seen fit to regulate their use. Plastic baby toys and teethers that contain phthalates are banned, however, in the European Union. Chew on this: It's pronounced THA-lates.

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