Phthalates Factsheet, What You Need to Know

Phthalates are a toxin that has seeped into your food, water, clothes, and many of the everyday things you use. luckakcul/Shutterstock

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used to help dissolve other materials. Phthalates are in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, lubricating oils, and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays).