: any of various salts or esters of phthalic acid used especially as plasticizers and in solvents
Examples of phthalate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to one 2022 study, exposure to chemicals such as pesticides and phthalates, as well as air pollution, may awaken sleeping autism genes, as can nutritional deficiencies.
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
These chemicals — including plasticizers called phthalates and flame retardants — have a chance of inducing neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, hormone disruption, and cancer.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
Decades-long campaigns have sought to ban phthalates and plasticizers in children’s toys and furniture, with limited success.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
Research has connected phthalates with reproductive problems, such as genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys and lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
These chemicals — including plasticizers called phthalates and flame retardants — have a chance of inducing neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, hormone disruption, and cancer.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
Decades-long campaigns have sought to ban phthalates and plasticizers in children’s toys and furniture, with limited success.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
Research has connected phthalates with reproductive problems, such as genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys and lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phthalate
Cite this Entry
“Phthalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phthalate. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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