Plastics and cosmetics – dangerous toxins in children's bodies

Toxic chemicals are all around us – in clothing, cosmetics, household chemicals, food packaging – and they can seriously harm young people's health, nerves and hormones. The consequences can be obesity, infertility, high blood pressure.

Tests in Germany show that children and teenagers are contaminated with banned plasticizers.

Plasticizer is a general term for a range of chemicals that are added to materials, usually plastics and rubber, to make them softer and more pliable. They are found in countless everyday items such as plastic shower curtains, clear film, PVC raincoats or flexible hoses and insulation for home installations.

Plasticizers, sometimes called phthalates, are also found in cosmetics, such as nail polish, lotions, and shampoos. Here, they act as stabilizers that maintain the consistency of the product, or help it be more water-resistant or last longer.

The use of certain plasticizers is banned or severely restricted in regions such as the EU, the US, Canada and Japan due to their potential harmful effects on human health or the environment. However, they are still widely used in other parts of the world.

Although restrictions are particularly strictly enforced when it comes to children's toys, German researchers have recorded unusually high levels of one strictly regulated plasticizer in young children in recent years.

The breakdown product of the plasticizer mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) was detected in 92% of urine samples from 259 children and adolescents tested during the spring and summer of 2025 across Germany.

In the original investigation in 2024, the same product was found in almost two-thirds of urine samples from 250 children aged two to six in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia – a tenfold increase compared to the period three years earlier.

A nationwide study, conducted at the time by the UBA (German Federal Environmental Protection Agency), had already found this chemical in about a third of the adult population.

"Based on the results from recent years, we were not surprised by the presence of MnHexP in urine samples from children and adolescents," said Dirk Messner, head of the UBA, in mid-February. "However, what surprised us was the high proportion of contaminated samples, as well as the occasionally very high concentrations."

In its 2024 investigation, the UBA said it had identified sunscreens as a potential source of the plasticizer. The agency added that this source was also likely based on the latest data from 2025, but other sources had not been ruled out.

How do plasticizers harm human health?

Marike Kolosa-Gering, a toxicologist who worked at the UBA until December 2025, told DW after the first study that the concentration of the breakdown product MnHexP in the children tested was in some cases high enough "that a health risk cannot be ruled out." However, most of the results remained below the levels considered to be likely to cause harm.

MnHexP is a potential byproduct that remains in the body after di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP) is ingested or absorbed through the skin or respiratory tract, but it can also come from other sources. The European Chemicals Agency classified DnHexP as a "substance of very high concern" back in 2013, and its use is strictly regulated.

In its 2013 analysis, the European Chemicals Agency found that DnHexP is "toxic for reproduction" in humans and may have an adverse effect on fertility or "cause harm to the unborn child." This also applies to the phthalate byproduct found in urine samples.

Phthalates are a group of plasticizers that have been used in countless products and packaging for years. However, when they enter the human body, either by leaching from products or evaporating from surfaces, some of them are considered endocrine disruptors – meaning they can interfere with the glands that produce hormones to regulate growth, development and reproduction.

Some studies have linked long-term exposure to a range of health problems in children, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, fertility problems, and problems with the nervous and respiratory systems. Animal testing also suggests that plasticizers may affect the risk of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

Are there alternatives to plasticizers?

Faced with these problems, researchers have examined the potential of plasticizers based on biomaterials. These include alternatives made from plants such as wheat, corn, rice, and canola oil.

However, some of these alternatives still do not perform as well as plasticizers that have been used for decades or are too expensive to produce. Although their health effects are less severe, they may still be associated with respiratory diseases and skin irritation. More research is also needed to determine whether these alternatives may have environmental consequences.

Experts say one way to avoid plasticizers and their many drawbacks is to use products that manufacturers guarantee are phthalate-free. Certain plastic products are clearly labeled as such, while substitutes made from other materials—wooden toys, glass containers, metal camping utensils—are free of them altogether.

How to reduce exposure to plasticizers?

Check the labels: Look for products that clearly state "phthalate-free" or "BPA-free."

Choose natural materials: Buy children wooden toys instead of plastic ones and clothes made from natural materials (cotton, wool, linen) without thick rubberized prints.

Glass and stainless steel instead of plastic: Store food and drinks in glass or metal containers. Never heat food in plastic containers, especially not in the microwave.

Be careful with cosmetics and household chemicals: Avoid products with strong artificial fragrances, as phthalates are often used to fix fragrances, for example in body lotions or fabric softeners. If you use standard laundry and dishwashing detergents, use the extra rinse option to reduce chemical residues on materials that come into contact with skin or food.

Ventilate regularly: Phthalates can accumulate in house dust after evaporating from floors or furniture, so frequent vacuuming and airing out rooms is key - especially if you have (small) children.