Che chimici pericolosi contenuti in molti casi. I ricercatori che sono in contatto in molti casi. I prodotti chimici in questione-butilbenzil ftalato (BBZP) e di-N-butil ftalato (DNBP)-sono composti noti come ftalati e sono usati per ammorbidire la plastica.  I ftalati si trovano in un'ampia varietà di cose dal profumo a contenitori di cibo in plastica, repellente per insetti, tende da doccia, pavimenti in vinile e sono persino utilizzati nei veicoli (ruote di sterzo e cruscotti).asthma cases in children, researchers are warning. The chemicals in question - butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) – are compounds known as phthalates and are used to soften plastic.  Phthalates are found in a wide variety of things from perfume to plastic food containers, insect repellent, shower curtains, vinyl flooring and are even used in vehicles (steering wheels and dashboards). I ftalati hanno ricevuto un divieto all'interno dell'UE dai giocattoli e dai cosmetici per bambini, tuttavia, poiché è stato riscontrato che i prodotti chimici aumentano il rischio di problemi di salute, come l'asma, dal 2015 potrebbero essere regolarmente vietati del tutto. E ora uno studio di New York ha scoperto che i bambini nati da madri un elevato livello di esposizione alle due sostanze chimiche avevano un rischio sconcertante del 72 al 78% più elevato di sviluppare l'asma delle condizioni polmonari durante i cinque e 11 anni, rispetto ai bambini le cui madri avevano livelli più bassi di esposizione. Lo studio è stato pubblicato sulla rivista Prospettive per la salute ambientale, and found that children born to women with the highest levels of phthalate were 72% more likely to get asthma compared to those with low levels, whilst the risk was 78% for di-n-butyl phthalate. The researchers involved in the study believe the chemicals may be sensitising the foetuses’ airways, thus causing more susceptibility to asthma in their childhood years. The idea for the study was formulated a number of years ago after Columbia University researcher Robin Whyatt and her colleagues at the Mailman School of Public Health were noting that inner-city kids living in New York had amongst the highest rates of asthma in the world – almost a quarter have the condition. Therefore, the team wanted to see which environmental factors were worsening the asthma incidence within children, and started their research with 300 pregnant women so the development from in the womb to late childhood could be tracked. Since the beginning of the study the results have been published on a regular basis, highlighting any correlation between a child’s respiratory and neurological problem, and a particular environmental issue such as exposure to phthalates or exposure to other things like insecticide and pesticide residues. Lead author Robin Whyatt, professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health, at Columbia, said: “Everyone from parents to policymakers is concerned by the steep rise in the number of children who develop asthma. Our goal is to try and uncover causes of this epidemic so we can better protect young children from this debilitating condition. Our study presents evidence that these two phthalates are among a range of known risk factors for asthma.” Professor Whyatt, speaking about the two chemicals featured in the study, said: “These chemicals are very widely used in very high volume and they are not generally listed on labels. There are some simple steps families can take. Avoid using plastic containers and as much as you can store your food in glass jars in the fridge. Never microwave in plastic. It is also worth considering cutting back on using any scented products – cosmetics, perfumes, air fresheners and detergents.” She advised women to use the internet to see if their make-up contains for phthalates, and warned that other risk factors for the onset of asthma during childhood include tobacco smoke, air pollution, obesity, and a history of allergies.