Recent research indicates that everyone in America has traces of plastics in their body.

Phthalates have been implicated as a causal factor in several health problems. They are added to normally rigid PVC to make soft products such as the plastic bags that store blood, plasma and intravenous fluids; feeding, breathing and dialysis tubes; catheters; respiratory masks; and exam gloves. They are also in children’s toys, vinyl floors, wallpaper, shower curtains, vinyl bibs and cosmetics.

Studies have linked high concentrations of phthalates to obesity. It is unclear how this association works.