What are phthalates?
Phthalates are a chemical compound used to soften hard plastics into soft rubber and jelly. Many sex toys are made using phthalates, namely the ones referred to as jelly rubber, they appear in other permutations such as jel-lee, latex jelly, or derivatives like glow-in-the-dark and "realistic" feel materials such as softskin, or Cyberskin. Phthalates are derived from Phthalic acid, and is often called a plasticizer for its plastic softening properties. Already banned in children's toys (e.g. teething rings etc) phthalates are still used widely by some of the world's largest sex toy producers. Sadly it would seem that although many of these leading manufacturers are well aware of the drawbacks and potential hazards surrounding phthalates they continue to use them in their sex toys. The reason is simple - phthalates are cheap.
Are phthalates toxic?
Greenpeace research has shown that phthalates can disrupt the human hormonal system, diminish fertility and adversely affect the kidneys and liver. The substance is used to soften plastics and PVC plastic. Whilst there are no warnings against using sex toys with phthalates, a recent Danish Survey recommended that pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid phthalates.
Phthalates have a very chemical smell; they leach oils and can leave grease spots on fabrics and wood. The use of phthalates in sex toy production makes the surface of a sex toy porous so not only do the toxic chemicals leach out of a sex toy they also absorb bacteria even after washing.
If you suspect your favourite sex toy contains phthalates and you can' bear to be parted from it, you could use a condom on it to protect yourself from possible toxic exposure - or treat yourself to a new vibrator in body friendly material.
Is there an alternative to Phthalates?
Most certainly. Remember Phthalates are only used in soft rubber, or latex sex toys, so if you opt for Glass sex toys, Metal sex toys and Hard Plastic sex toys you won't be exposed to phthalates and our increased sales on these products (especially glass) show us that some buyers are already responding to the safety issue.
There are small niche producers that have been creating safe sex toys with love and care for many years and it is with pleasure that we can highlight these manufacturers to customers. Customers must realize that if they buy a sex toy for 99p they are not buying quality and the cost could be more far reaching than mere pence. Quality phthalate-free ranges are not cheap, because they are not mass produced, they do however offer some of the best vibrating mechanisms and contemporary styles available today, all in body friendly materials.
Look for sex toys from the following ranges:
Cherish Sex Toys, Dr Laura Berman's Range
Intimate Accessories from The Berman Centre and the UK favourites Emotional Bliss as recommended by RELATE - and the
Rock-Chick and other Silicone and body friendly sex toys at Passion8.
Shop wisely, recent years have seen a proliferation of sex-toy supermarkets, especially online where sites champion the fact they have over 4,500 products, or that they are "The Largest" on the web. As always it is caveat emptor (buyer beware) these sites do not have experienced buyers - they merely feature every product that a manufacturer throws at them, the cheaper the better in many cases. We regularly see styles of sex toys online that we have shunned for years, styles with a high phthalate content (they stink); styles with attachments that drop off (Non-Doctor and the New Non-Doctor); and styles that are recommended for certain uses (anal toys without a safety hilt) that clearly shouldn't be.
Get as much information you can and buy from a reputable supplier, as always Passion8 is here to help with any question you may have.
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