Gender Measure: Pollutant appears to alter boys’ genitals

Infant boys who were exposed in the womb to modest concentrations of certain common plasticizers and solvents developed genital changes including smaller-than-normal penises, a new study finds.

NOT A PRETTY PICTURE. Phthalates are found in many products, including cosmetics. PhotoDisc

The results from this study of 85 boys are consistent with what researchers have seen in laboratory animals treated with the chemicals, which are called phthalates.