Phthalates & Parabens Profile - Urine

Phthalates & Parabens Profile

The Phthalates & Parabens Profile can help identify everyday exposures to toxins from the use of items such as personal care products and plastic food containers. Environmental toxins should be evaluated as a "first step" to help patients get back on the road to wellness.

Why assess phthalate and paraben levels?

Exposure to phthalates and parabens is more common than you may realize. Phthalates and parabens are often classified as xenoestrogens, foreign compounds in the body functioning as endocrine disruptors by binding specifically to estrogen receptors.

Endocrine disruptors are associated with diseases such as:

Where are phthalates and parabens found?

Phthalates, also called "plasticizers", are found in numerous everyday products
such as:

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate ester (DEHP) is a common additive to Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). This additive helps make PVC soft and pliable to be molded into eye-pleasing shapes. PVC products are marked with the plastic identification code 3. The analytes measured in this profile are metabolites of DEHP. In perfumes and air fresheners, phthalates are often listed as "fragrance".

Parabens are used as preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in personal care products, such as: