Phthalates

Exposure to the group of chemicals that are known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) increases the risk of diabetes by up to 37 fold. (Diabetes Care, 2006;29:1638-1644) 
Obesity - which can be as a result to a disruption in the endocrine system, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, autoimmunity and depression are just a few of the other outcomes from exposure. 

These chemicals include pesticides, herbicides, plasticisers and other industrial chemicals. You may not think you are in contact with these chemicals but just looking around they are everywhere.... our plastic drinking bottles, perfumes, skincare products, new cars, new carpets, sprayed vegetables, our children's toys. We live in a "plastic world" so this is very hard to avoid but certainly worth thinking about how best to limit our exposure. 

I have attached a chemical summary sheet released by the US EPA describing the toxicity and exposure effects of pthalates on children's health. 

http://www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/phthalates_summary.pdf