A study by Wechsler et al, reported in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, suggests phthalates in ambient indoor air may pass through our skin.

From the article:  “Certain phthalate esters used widely in vinyl plastics and other consumer products have been associated with impaired neurodevelopment,¹ altered genital development,² and respiratory problems³ in people. Studies of dermal absorption of phthalates have largely focused on direct contact of the skin with the chemicals, but some models predict that transdermal uptake directly from ambient air may be a potentially important route of exposure.⁴ In this issue of EHP, researchers confirm experimentally in humans that dermal uptake from indoor air may be a meaningful exposure pathway for some phthalates.⁵“