Phthalates are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics more flexible or resilient. Also used in some solvents, phthalates are universally used in modern society and can be found in toys, food packaging, shower curtains, adhesives, detergents, hoses, raincoats, vinyl flooring, nail polish, shampoo, lubricants, and hair spray.

The danger in using products made with phthalates is that phthalates have been found to disrupt the endocrine system, cause reduced sperm counts, abnormalities in the male reproductive systems and cause liver cancer.

To learn more, go to:
http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/phthalates.html