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Phthalates, widely used as a plastic softener and in many consumer products, have been associated with hyperactivity and impulsivity in experiments in young animals. These researchers tested whether phthalates have a similar role in childhood ADHD. Participants were 261 Korean children (mean age, 9.7 years) from urban, suburban, rural, and industrial areas. Teachers (but not parents) rated the children for ADHD symptoms. The investigators measured children's impulsivity and attention on the Computerized Performance Test (errors of omission and of commission, respectively) and obtained urine measures of monoester metabolites (because diesters are widespread throughout the environment) of di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate …