連結：美研究：外食會增加體內塑化劑含量（科技新報）
研究人員表示，塑化劑與人體的關聯，對青少年來說尤其明顯。經常在速食店用餐的青少年，其體內的鄰苯二甲酸酯含量，比在家吃飯的青少年高出了55%。根據《衛報》報導，一項研究對人體內鄰苯二甲酸酯含量進行調查，發現外食者體內的鄰苯二甲酸酯含量，比前一天在家用餐的人高出了近35%。而研究也指出，在速食店、餐廳或咖啡店購買的漢堡、三明治等食物，與體內鄰苯二甲酸酯含量較高有所關連。
除了減少吃外食之外，最好也能配合限塑，少喝塑膠杯飲料，也要避免將塑料產品加熱使用，多注意相關資訊。畢竟，我們不可能全然避免存在於環境中的塑化劑，但透過注意「量」的攝取、改變飲食及生活習慣，就能減少塑化劑的毒害。
連結：Eating out increases levels of phthalates in the body, study finds
A total of 10,253 people were asked to recall what they ate and where their food came from over the previous 24 hours. Levels of phthalate biomarkers were measured in each participant’s urine.
Of the whole group, 61% reported dining out the previous day. The association between phthalate exposure and dining out was significant across all age groups, but especially strong for young people, said the researchers.
The findings are reported in the journal Environment International.