Foodstuff Storage and Phthalates: Effects on Human Health
Summary
Concern about how exposure to environmental contaminants may interfere with human health and its consequences is in constant rise. Phthalates, unlike other environmental contaminants, are not persistent or bioaccumulative but its broad use makes them ubiquitous in today’s world. Although concentrations of phthalates in different products vary it has been proven that the most significant source of human exposure to phthalates is packaging material of various food products. Other contamination can occur also during production process, transportation and storage time in different packaging and wrapping materials. People could be exposed to phthalates through food, water, cosmetics and personal care products, toys and environment depending on dietary habits as well as personal lifestyle. Large number of studies has proved effects of phthalate exposure on human male reproductive development, sperm quality, risk factors for cancer, allergies, asthma and obesity, while impact on cardiovascular health remains unclarified. This article gives a quick, brief and insightful overview on numerous literature data of phthalate exposure in humans due to food storage and their impact on health.
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