Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are in our cosmetics and are linked to fertility issues, birth defects, cancer, and a raft of other health disorders. But how concerned should we be?  It seems phthalates are almost everywhere. These chemicals are found in a huge array of products, from skin care products, cosmetics and fragrance, to plastic food packaging and PVC (vinyl) flooring and they’ve got people worried. The health scare around phthalates concerns their ability to disrupt hormones, and formally they are referred to as ‘endocrine-disrupting chemicals’. Growth, puberty, reproduction, and the control of nutrients in the body are all regulated by hormones, which…