According to six studies in a special section of the October 2008 issue of Environmental Research, exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and flame retardants (PBDEs) are strongly associated with adverse health effects on humans and laboratory animals.

Plastic products contain "endocrine disrupting chemicals" that can block the production of the male sex hormone testosterone, mimic the action of the sex hormone estrogen, and interfere with thyroid hormone.

Two articles report very similar changes in male reproductive organs in rats and humans related to fetal exposure to phthalates. Two articles show that fetal exposure to BPA or PBDEs disrupts normal development of the brain and behavior in rats and mice. And two more articles provide data that these chemicals are massively contaminating the oceans and causing harm to aquatic wildlife.