Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) a ubiquitous plasticizer has been found to enhance the allergic response to a common allergen, dust-mites. Since this chemical is found everywhere in our environment, those people who exhibit skin allergies should be made aware of this and access their levels of phthalates through the use of the US Biotek Environmental Pollutants Biomarker Test.

What was interesting in this report from the August issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, is how hormone mimicking chemicals, in this case phthalates, may be more toxic at lower doses than at higher ones. So the comment by industrial pollution apologists than low dose exposure is safe, may be as hollow as a tunnel.