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Plastics ingredient linked to smaller penises

MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:48 PM EST 05/11/08

Exposure of expectant mothers to phthalates linked to smaller penis size and incomplete descent of testicles in their baby boys ...Read the full article

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  1. I love Canadian Rockies Cleavage from Canada writes: Ouch
  2. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: Now we're in a real pickle.
  3. Rusty Brown from Cobourg, Ontario, Canada writes:
    Yet more unintended consequences of new 'technologies'. When, oh when, will we ever learn.

    RB
  4. Iain's Opinion from Canada writes: Yet, the industries will deny, deny, deny, just like the tobacco companies who can still find MD's that try to de-link smoking tobacco and lung cancer.
  5. harry carnie from Northern , B.C., Canada writes: This has terrible consequences for the environment in general.
    When these males with smaller penises reach adulthood they will feel compelled to drive Hummers and large vehicles to compensate.
    Either that ,or extremely loud motorcycles.So we will ALL suffer.
  6. Andrew E from Canada writes: Add to that the estrogen in our water from the pee of millions of women on the pill, and pretty soon we won't be able to reproduce. (Oh, yeah, except in the developing world, where they use neither phtalates or birth control)
  7. Tom H from Canada writes: When I first saw 'Children of Men' (great movie, by the way!) I thought that there should have been some background information on why humans had suddenly stopped being able to reproduce; my thinking that something so unrealistic needed a bit of backstory so the audience would accept the premise. Not really sure why I was so incredulous...
  8. Eric Kirkpatrick from Vancouver, B.C., Canada writes: Now that men are affected you can be sure action will be taken. To hell with economic fallout when our manhood is at stake.
  9. Shades of Grey from Canada writes: Since polyvinyl chloride plastic, or PVC, is commonly used in household water pipes, shower curtains, raincoats, it's pretty difficult to avoid.
  10. Sue Johnson from Canada writes: Ugh... we're swiming in chemicals. I'm moving to the bush and building a mud hut!
  11. T Loston from Calgary, Canada writes: PVC should be banned. It is on and in our plastic houses and has no environmentally friendly means of disposal or manufacture. It is extremely lethal when smouldering and is a dangerous substance when burned. I have been advocating the removal of PVC for years from projects but it's a tough sell for a cheap, widely available product sanctioned for use by the government.
  12. Chris Edwards from Greater Sudbury, Canada writes: Easy now. Say it with me people:

    3-4% difference in length (in other words, invisible to the naked eye.)
    Too small a sample size.
    Lacking independant verification.
    No idea what effect on reproduction could be (penis length having little or no bearing on insemination.)

    Are you following me? No need for the granola crunchers to go running for the hills just yet to protect the virility of their unborn man-children, and it is more than premature to predict the demise of the human race due to infertility.

    Global warming will get us WAYYYY before that happens! :-)
  13. Billy Z from San Diego, United States writes: good luck forming a class action lawsuit on this one.
  14. D N M from Canada writes: Andrew E from Canada writes: 'Add to that the estrogen in our water from the pee of millions of women on the pill, and pretty soon we won't be able to reproduce. (Oh, yeah, except in the developing world, where they use neither phtalates or birth control)'

    What an idiotic comment because people in the thirld world are so well off..... Andrew, you're not taking MY pill away as I have no intention of burdening myself, my husband or this country with 15 or so kids.

    That being said, I don't see what the big deal is about small penis size but then I'm a woman so ......anyway if it bothers the fellas out there so much then companies should stop put toxic crap in all of the stuff we use/consume. We really are swimming in chemicals, as someone else here said, it's disgraceful.
  15. T Loston from Calgary, Canada writes: This is not the first bit of science surrounding PVC. Again, the plastics industry is the voice cautioning against 'overreaction'. There are many, many scientific studies relating phthalates to health issues in unborn and young human males. The healthcare industry is busy removing it from medical equipment, following the lead of the European Union. And this doesn't even touch on the dioxin created in the manufacturing process, a carcinogen. Google PVC and the environment and you'll be hard pressed to come up with a positive study that isn't somehow traced back to the plastics industry. Oh, and while you're at it, google 'north pacific garbage patch'. Another reason PVC is a very bad thing.
  16. Kim Philby from Canada writes: Well, if THIS doesn't scare men into cleaning up the environment...
  17. emilio D from Canada writes: But this study based their conclusion on the AGD( anugenitial distance) and did not measure the actual size of the penis after puberty. The boy is still growing and sometimes small penis can grow as long as a garden hose. But there is still hope. The boy can take enlarging medications like, Xtend, Nlarge and in Mexico, Ay caramba.
  18. prospector from blackfly country from Canada writes: It has to be Harper's fault!!!
  19. Bob McDonald from Canada writes: When any of these chemicals gets linked to homosexuality - BOOM - the plastics industry will take a huge hit.

    I'm also amazed that these exotic chemicals are simply measure from urine samples! Makes me want to get a complete run-down on what is in my pee.
  20. Edward Eh from Bathurst, Canada writes: Stude Ham:
    Not the organ but the space from pistol to holester (sic). I know I should have resisted that!
  21. Just a pimento from Canada writes: I finally have a scientific explanation that I can show to my wife!
  22. Alice Shiv In from Toronto, Canada writes:

    With all the Melamine in their milk, it certainly explains the men in China ; )

    (Cue the ad hominem from the hordes of CCP shills)
  23. Eat Your Weedies from Canada writes: The research that might never get done but that needs to get done is the correlation between homosexuality and phthalate (etc...) exposure. But I guess that would be considered hateful or homophobic. Information must be feared.
  24. guy tozer from saskatoon, Canada writes: This is kind of late!!!. What about all the thousands of carcinonenic chemicals dumped into the great lakes over the past 100 years??. Look at the deformed fish species. An article several years ago mentioned the rate of morphadite occurrences around the great lakes. Remember Love Canal and River Rouge? And the scientists say a 'little' bit won't hurt. But what about a life times accumulation? So the phthalates are just a drop in the bucket!
  25. Tinfoil Hatt from Lapping it up!, Canada writes:
    On the up-side, trying to pronounce the word 'Phthalates' strengthens your tongue muscles.

    ....
  26. Brad Morrison from Japan writes: I really think that this title for this article needs to be changed. At no point does this article mention smallers penises. There was a 3-4% difference between the distance from the anus to the penis, NOT the size of the penis. Now either the author left out the data on the effect on penis size or they wanted a snappy title that would grab readers attention even if it has NOTHING to do with thier article. Where are the editors!?!
  27. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: For those people for whom this is an 'issue' there is good news as there are approx. 2 inches of 'hidden' penis that can be surgically altered for penis lengthening.

    Also, if there is a substance that stunts penis growth, there must be one that stimulates it? Any ideas????
  28. linda sepp from toronto, Canada writes: Almost all fragranced products contain phthalates (and other harmful chemicals that are neuro-toxic, carcinogenic, endocrine disruptive, respiratory irritants). If you see the word fragrance or parfum on the label (or it has claims of summer fresh breezes or being a babe magnet) you will have chemicals that affect your brain and body in your soap, hand creme, facial moisturizer, deodorant, cologne, aftershave, perfume, cosmetics, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, dish detergents, 'air-fresheners', scented candles, liquid paper, tire cleaner, etc, that you are absorbing through your skin and inhaling directly into your brain. Ever wonder why some of the folks on those commercials look like they are stoned after inhaling the laundry or 'air-freshener' product du jour and wonder why they are legal and street drugs aren't? If you want to improve the chances of reproductive (and neurological ) survival on this planet, then shop for fragrance-free products and avoid any place that uses scent marketing to impair your cognitive functioning in efforts to sell more product. Another point of entry is in your food, if you shop at a supermarket that sells these products, as the VOC's which the phthalates help stay longer and stronger, migrate everywhere (just like tobacco smoke) and settle onto and into the foods. You can't wash a loaf of bread or a bag of flour. The only way to avoid them is by shopping at farmer's markets, until someone sees the light and bans chemical storage and sales from places food is stored and sold. The governments have not been regulating industry, or making sure things are safe before they are sold. It's time to vote for someone who actually cares about our long term survival more than short term gain. We're not toddlers anymore. Time to grow up and deal with reality folks, while we still can.
  29. Antonio San from Canada writes: This Globe reporter must have first hand knowledge of the problem, obviously...
  30. Joanne Johnston from Canada writes: Nickstar One from Canada writes: More epidemiological 'mumbo jumbo' trying to make noise but signifying nothing. This paper researcher should stick to her knitting otherwise we will all be hearing of an 'epidemic of poison plastic bottles' ad nauseum.

    'Stick to her knitting' is a sexist comment. Maybe you should stick to some stereotypical male activity, hmmm?
  31. BeB AmomA from Canada writes: ..//

    No.

    Please note the reporter's name.

    unbelievable.

    ..//
  32. Steve I'm Not an Alberta Redneck from Calgary, Canada writes: Until this article, I'm sure many men blamed their personality.
  33. Let me tell You How It Is from United States writes: Well it looks like I was not exposed to any plastics.
  34. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Talk about Penis troubles.

    A man is recovering from testicle surgery when the Nurse appears.
    She asks him how he is feeling?

    I'm OKAY but I didn't like the four-letter-word the doctor used in
    surgery, he answered.

    What did he say,' asked the nurse.
    'OOPS'
  35. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Let me tell You How It Is from United States writes: Well it looks like I was not exposed to any plastics.

    That's not what your wife tells all the boys (big mouth).
  36. Vancouver Canadian from Hugh G Rexion, Canada writes: People used to say 'Your mother wears army boots' Now we say 'Your mother ate phthalates' :)

    Just try to say that if you've had a few beers though... its pretty hard to pronounce!
  37. Ian Monaghan from Bowmanville, Canada writes: My friend had an addadicktomy and it worked fine
  38. Vancouver Canadian from Hugh G Rexion, Canada writes: Apparently someone stole the latest shipment of Viagra bound for Canada. They're looking for two hardened criminals.
  39. Anthony B from Maritimes, Canada writes: If the plastics industry is part of the problem, maybe it should be part of the solution.

    Plastic surgery, anyone?
  40. Tim Fromhere from Mexico writes: I like the suggestion that there should be a class action law suit. However, reading between the lines, one might conclude that the affected persons may not have the tesiticles to do it.
  41. Robert Dryburgh from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada writes: I guess this is the long and short of it.
  42. i have to laugh from Canada writes: Tinfoil Hatt from Lapping it up!, Canada writes:
    On the up-side, trying to pronounce the word 'Phthalates' strengthens your tongue muscles.
    _______________________________________________________

    Guess that kinda makes up for having a small penis - gives the ladies something to look forward to.
  43. Chris Lalonde from Singapore writes: Kind of reminds me of the scene on Seinfeld where George is seen changing his bathing suit by Jerry's girlfriend. 'IT'S SHRINKAGE'!!!
  44. Ziad Fazel from Calgary, Canada writes: Tinfoil Hatt, you rock! Funny before anyone explained your joke, and still the best comment.

    Hap Stokes, nice one buddy. See you later on the football threads.
  45. Ghetto Dude from Istanbul, Turkey writes: The article is full of keywords the semi-moderation engine would have moderated out. Okay, time to buy p*n*s enLarmnegt pills men. All those junk mails we receive each day proved to be true. Health section seems to be infested with tabloid style essays, under the name of "research".
  46. Antonio San from Canada writes: The Globe and Mail has become a collection of worries: short penis, listeriosis in the thanksgiving turkey, BPA, species, sea level, economy etc...

    Funny how the BPA product are still safely for sale in pharmacies over Europe...
  47. Can't believe it from Canada writes: well fellas looks like your future cucumbers could all be Jerkins!!
  48. Papa Smurf from Ottawa, Canada writes: I'd sue, but it probably wouldn't stand up court.

    Maybe small claims.
  49. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: Ironic that the name of these penis-shrinking compounds would be 'phtalates', no? Presumably the similarity in spelling to 'phallus' was purely coincidental, and not an industry insiders' joke.
  50. Can't believe it from Canada writes: Papa Smurf from Ottawa if you go "see Alice" she might make a big deal out of it. And maybe the judge might be inclined to lift it along!!
  51. Jorly fuster from Canada writes: Well now that finally explains.
  52. Jorly fuster from Canada writes: Billy Z and Papa Smurf - HILARIOUS!!! posts of the day!!!!!
  53. Frank Smith from St. John's, NL, Canada writes: I think Mr Mittelstaedt has missed an extremely important aspect of this problem. I believe I would be correct to say that ALL plastic tubing used in hospitals is flexible and therefore made of PVC. The same may be true of the bags used to contain saline and blood and all the things in a hospital where flexibility is required. T.Loston of Calgary mentions that the medical profession is following EU advice to remove PVC as far as possible from medical equipment - but what will replace the plastic tubing, I wonder? It is the phthalates presence that make it flexible!
    Frank R. Smith, retired Chemistry Prof., MUN
  54. the catholic church from Purgatory, Canada writes: Frank Smith from St. John's, NL, Canada writes: I think Mr Mittelstaedt has missed an extremely important aspect of this problem. I believe I would be correct to say that ALL plastic tubing used in hospitals is flexible and therefore made of PVC. The same may be true of the bags used to contain saline and blood and all the things in a hospital where flexibility is required. T.Loston of Calgary mentions that the medical profession is following EU advice to remove PVC as far as possible from medical equipment - but what will replace the plastic tubing, I wonder? It is the phthalates presence that make it flexible!
    Frank R. Smith, retired Chemistry Prof., MUN
    **
    Frank, I would certainly hope that you already know about other types of flexible plastic tubing that are viable alternatives to PVC in medical environments: nylon, polyethylene, polyurethane, and of course silicone, which is starting to replace PVC in many applications.
  55. liquid sherwood from Canada writes: Bah..its just a theory.

    Like gravity.
  56. bob london from Canada writes: Explains TO men
  57. Noah Vail from the big (ok, fair sized) city, Canada writes: "... phthalates... also appears to make boys slightly more feminine."

    Juth try thaying that word, you big thithy.
  58. J -Rock from Canada writes: Guess my mom avoided that stuff.
  59. Marlene W from Hamilton, Canada writes: Boyz will be girls...

    May I suggest watching Lawrence Barraclaugh's documentary "My Penis and Everyone Else's"

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MP85uj9Gdg
  60. urban ranger from Vancouver, Canada writes: Only men care about this. However it is a nice break from all the
    silly political news........or is it?
  61. Rishi Verma from Canada writes: I agree with u Rusty Brown regarding the cunsequences of technology.
  62. xtimla ximeca from pomona, United States writes: well i have a rather dinky dick when in stae of detumescence and i feel no need to drive big autos or operate pile drivers. I do dream about locomotives going through tunnels all dark and wet, and then i wake up and my penis is going whoo whoo and spurting all this white stuff out just like white smoke from the train i was dreaming about.
  63. White Jade from Ireland writes: Alice Shiv In from Toronto, Canada writes:

    When are you going to return that made in china computer shill? Just as I figured...no ba!!s.

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