A recent study linked lower IQ in babies born to mothers with higher levels of phthalates. The chemicals, Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), are found in many common products, including, vinyl upholstery, shower curtains, plastic food containers, raincoats, dryer sheets, lipstick, hairspray, nail polish, certain soaps and chemical air fresheners.
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, tracked 328 women, control for their education and home envrionment and found that the children of mothers with the highest levels of DnBP and DiBP in their systems had IQ's of 6 to 7 points lower than children in the lowest exposure group.
In 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned six types of phthalates from use in toys and other products meant for children such as bottles and plastic cups and bowls. However, health officials have yet take to take steps to alert pregnant women of the risk that comes with using certain products that contain phthalates. Moreover, companies are not required to label the use of phthalates in products.