High blood levels of chemicals called phthalates, which areused in hundreds of everyday products, may double your risk of type 2 diabetes,according to a study published in Diabetes Care and reported by HealthDay News.Phthalates are found in household products such as soaps, plastics, toys,detergents, food packaging, hair spray and shampoos.

For the study, researchers collected data from more than1,000 Swedish men and women, age 70, all of whom participated in theProspective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors Study.Scientists measured the participants’ blood sugar and insulin levels as well asthe phthalate toxin levels in their bodies.