Low doses of one of the most commonly used softeners in plastics can aggravate dust-mite allergy, researchers report.
The plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is ubiquitous in air, water, and most people’s bodies. It’s in plastics used for toys, food packaging, medical products, and housewares.
A few earlier studies had correlated allergy severity with exposure to DEHP in people (SN: 7/24/04, p.
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