A class of dangerous chemicals known as endocrine disruptors that are found in many common plastics. They are added to plastics to make them more flexible. Phthalates can cause genital abnormalities in the fetus, and have been linked to uterine fibroids, breast cancer, endometriosis, and reduced sperm production and function. Phthalates are used in a massive range of products, from baby bottles and detergents to plastic food containers, medical supplies, shower curtains, glues, and jelly rubber sex toys. Phthalates can cause the distance between the scrotum and anus to be shorter in boys who are born to mothers with higher levels of endocrine disruptors in their bodies. This causes the male’s anogential distance to be more like that of a female, indicating that the male’s genitals may not have been as fully masculinized as nature intended. Infertility is more common in men with a shorter anogenital distance. Phthalates and endocrine disruptors pose a huge environmental hazard, including concern that they are contributing to a lower birth rate of males, an increase in undescended testicles, and they are a possible cause of autism. The sooner they are outlawed, the better.