1. Are Toys making boys less masculine? By Arianne Lapidus and Lily Cohen

2. The Study In a study of 145 pre-school aged boys, prenatal exposure to Phthalates, a chemical commonly found in plastic was linked to less masculine play in boys

3. Why? The masculine brain is developed by using testosterone, and phthalates are believed by some scientistists to lower testosterone levels

4. During Pregnancy From 2000 to 2003 urine samples were taken from women at 28 weeks into their pregnancies. The samples were tested for two phthalates DEHP and DBP.

5. The Questionnaire When the children of these women were between 3 and 6 years old the women answered a questionnaire called the Preschool Activities Inventory. . The questionnaire asked about what toys and activities the sons enjoyed.

6. The Results The study found that there was a direct relationship between elevated phthalate levels and less “traditional” male play in their young sons.

7. Acknowledgements Article Sources : http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085040.htm http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2689Information on Phthalates:http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480 Pictures: http://www.topnews.in/healthcare/content/-2285using-cosmetics-during-pregnancy-increase-birth-defect-risk http://abby-may.blogspot.com/2007/09/tuma-family-camping-trip-labor-day-wknd.html www.moonbattery.com/archives/boy-with-doll.jpg

8. ACK Continued Pictures: http://www.giftsunusual.com/Images-5/29633%20Porcelain%20Doll-Gwyneth.jpg http://www.toymonstertruck.com/Pastrana199ToyTruck.gif

9. The End