Does PET Contain Substances Which Act as Environmental Estrogens or Endrocrine Disruptors?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PET or any of the chemicals used to manufacture PET associated with environmental estrogens?

No.  Considerable research has been conducted with no evidence of danger to reproduction or reproductive development from PET or any of its raw materials.

Isn’t PET made from or contain phthalate?

No. PET and its raw materials are not made from phthalates.   There may be some confusion because the names sound similar - terephthalate and isophthalate sound similar to phthalate, but they are very different compounds

What are environmental estrogens?

Environmental estrogens are naturally occurring and synthetic compounds that mimic or alter the normal process of the female hormone estrogen.  They have recently received a lot of attention because some questionable studies, which have not been replicated in subsequent studies, suggested that even low doses can cause harm.

Where are environmental estrogens found?

These compounds are found in naturally occurring and possibly man-made chemicals that are present in our air, water, soil, food, and the household products we use.  PET is not made from these materials.

Are they harmful?

The research to date does not show harmful effects in people or wildlife, and no government agency has accepted the possibility of harm from low levels of exposure.    Exposure to doses  that might be associated with adverse effects is not found in our daily lives.