Broadcast focuses on misinformed messages about the dangers of men's personal care products.
A report for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network on efforts to educate men about chemicals in their personal care products alerts them to an important issue, but leaves them misinformed about the specific dangers.
Many women are increasingly aware of the dangers of toxic chemicals in the environment. They chose to read personal care product labels and buy "safer" cosmetics to reduce their exposure to chemicals like phthalates, lead and parabens. Josie Huang’s story on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network describes creative local efforts to educate men about similar dangers that may be lurking in their medicine cabinets. Although the concerns raised by the advocacy groups are valid – there may be risks to men from environmental chemicals like phthalates – and well intentioned, some of the science behind their arguments is misinformed.
For instance, as one source cited in the article correctly points out, body sprays and lotions for men often contain phthalates. Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals commonly used to make fragrances last longer. He misclassifies phthalates as "mimicking estrogen" – they are actually anti-androgens, which means they block male hormones – then he goes on to say that phthalate exposure is linked to "altered genital development, small or abnormal testes, (and) undescended testicles." Contrary to what the source suggests, all of those problems emerge before or shortly after birth, and they simply can’t be affected by a man’s product use during adulthood.
The reason that most education on the dangers of personal care products is targeted toward young women is not only because they typically use more of them, but, as Huang correctly points out, some of the biggest risks are to the developing, and therefore more vulnerable, fetus. Altered genital development from male personal care products is only a risk insofar as a pregnant woman (and by extension, her fetus) is exposed to the products that a man uses, a fact that could have been quickly established by consulting an expert.
Still, there is reason for men to be careful about how their chemical exposures affect their own bodies. The article rightfully points out evidence that high levels of certain phthalates (including those commonly found in personal care products) may be linked to lower sperm count and quality. Similarly, high levels of other phthalates (including those found widely in food) have been linked to increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance in men.
The Maine advocacy groups involved in this outreach and education campaign have the right idea. But, their scientific message – and the reporting on it – needs a little fact-checking to improve its accuracy.
