Ask a doctor on the topic of Oncology

Pollutants in plastic.

April 22, 2013 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello!
For about 2 years, I have been wearing plastic leisure shoes at home, they are called clogs. This morning, I spilled tomato ketchup on my shoes and only roughly wiped it off. About an hour ago, I wanted to clean them properly. The ketchup had caused difficult-to-remove stains, so I had to rub vigorously. This resulted in an intense smell of chemicals or plastic, which I initially did not take seriously and continued to clean (about 2 minutes).
However, I then remembered the reports about harmful substances in plastic products. I stopped rubbing and disposed of the shoes.
Nevertheless, I am now plagued by the question: Since my face was quite close to the shoe, could I have already absorbed/inhaled a carcinogenic dose of harmful substances from this one-time action?
Roland

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good evening Roland,

It is the case that the pollutants in the plastic in question are mostly phthalates, which are softeners that can cause harm if they are repeatedly in contact with the mouth (e.g. in the case of small children's toys). Even if the possibly rubbed off plastic of your shoe contained phthalates or even carcinogenic dyes (which are not permitted), such a short contact solely through the airways would have no carcinogenic effect. Even if you had licked the ketchup off your shoe, there would have been no risk!

Please do not worry unnecessarily.

Warm regards,
Dr. Höllering, specialist in internal and general medicine