Phthalates and epigenetics: An emerging public health concern

Phthalates are a group of phthalic acid esters that are commonly used as plasticizers in many consumer products to improve elasticity, transparency, durability, and toughness. Phthalates are also ubiquitously found throughout our environment. In recent years, research has indicated a growing concern over the potential negative health effects that phthalates have on the human body. Considering their presence in a wide range of consumer goods, including food packaging, household goods, medical equipment, and personal hygiene products, humans are continuously exposed to many phthalates in their everyday lives. More strikingly, exposure to phthalates has been shown to induce abnormal epigenetic changes in noncoding RNA expression, DNA methylation, and histone modification. Epigenetic changes are critical in governing gene expression while leaving the DNA sequence intact. Previous studies have established the role of aberrant epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer and endocrine diseases related to phthalate exposure. The purpose of this review is to provide insight into the mechanisms by which phthalates may affect epigenetic processes and the potential adverse health consequences of these interactions.