US researchers say chemicals in plastics alter the brains of baby boys making them "more feminine". They found males exposed to high doses in the womb went on to be less likely to play with boys' toys like cars or to join in rough and tumble games.<br/>The University of Rochester team's latest work adds to concerns about the safety of phthalates, found in vinyl flooring and PVC shower curtains. Phthalates have the ability to disrupt hormones and are widely used in many different household items, including plastic furniture and packaging.<br/>There are many different types and some mimic the female hormone oestrogen. The findings are reported in the International Journal of Andrology.<br/>