Federal Environment Agency suspects sunscreens as a source of banned plasticizers. High levels of a health-damaging chemical were found in numerous urine samples in Germany.
Experts believe the most likely cause is a plasticizer called di-n-hexyl phthalate. It is considered particularly harmful and is therefore not permitted in cosmetics, food contact materials and toys. Some of these phthalates are so-called endocrine disruptors; they influence the human hormonal system and can impair human fertility.