Study suggesting that DEHP may be feminising boys: See what others are saying

"Parents should not be concerned about reports of “gender-bending” phthalates affecting their children’s brains or habits."

It is not just the plasticiser and PVC industry who are suggesting that the recently published study claiming that pre-natal exposure to DEHP has a feminising effect on young boys should be treated with extreme caution.

NHS Choices (UK National Health Service), Plastic 'Makes Boys Feminine', November 17 2009

"Chemicals used in plastics feminise the brains of little boys", according to the Daily Mail. The research behind this news compared phthalate concentration in pregnant women's urine to whether their children's play habits were typically masculine or feminine at the ages of four to seven. However, the study only looked at a small number of children, and of those invited to take part, only half responded. In addition, phthalate concentration was only measured once during pregnancy. These limitations mean that the evidence from this study alone is too weak to form any definite conclusions. Parents should not be concerned about reports of "gender-bending" phthalates affecting their children's brains or habits.  Read the full article ...

Forbes, "Can Plastic Change your Sex?", November 19, 2009

Once upon a time--this week, actually--mothers all over the world woke up and wondered whether their little boys were increasingly behaving like little girls. The cause for this sudden concern: a new study claiming chemicals in everyday plastics might be feminizing their brains. Was this a feminist plot to end patriarchy and violence? A cunning plan by doll manufacturers in a hitherto-hidden war with toy-truck makers? A long-term strategy to improve the growth potential of grooming products for men? No, it was just another study that the media rushed into publication without any pause to examine how it was assembled.  Read the full article ... 

European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI), "Treat with caution", November 16 2009

A new study, which claims to show that prenatal exposure to DEHP and DBP has a feminising effect on young boys, should be treated with extreme caution, says the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI).  Read the full comments ...