|
| all news articles | by topics |
|
news
articles about singapore's wild places
|
|
Today online
28 May 05 Chemicals in plastics 'harming unborn boys' Toxins have gender-bending effect, say scientists SCIENTISTS in the United States have found the first evidence that common chemicals used in products as diverse as cosmetics, toys, clingfilm and plastic bags may harm the development of unborn baby boys. Researchers have long known that high levels of substances called phthalates have gender-bending effects on male animals, making them more feminine and leading to poor sperm quality and infertility. The new study suggests that even normal levels of phthalates, which are ubiquitous, can disrupt the development of male babies' reproductive organs. Several types of phthalates, which are used to make plastics more pliable and have been around for more than 50 years, have been banned. But many are still produced in vast quantities. The study, carried out by scientists from centres across the US including the University of Rochester and the National Centre for Environmental Health, measured the levels of nine widely used phthalates in the urine of pregnant women and compared them with standard physiological measurements of their babies. Tests showed that women with higher levels of four different phthalates were more likely to have baby boys with a range of conditions: From smaller penises to a shorter perineum, the distance between the genitals and the anus. The differences, say the authors, indicate a feminisation of the boys similar to that seen in animals exposed to the chemicals. The next step for the researchers would be to unravel what kinds of products are most to blame, said the lead scientist of the study, obstetrician Shanna Swan at the University of Rochester. One way that phthalates get into the bloodstream is when they seep into food from plastic packaging. . "It's going to take a while to work out which of these sources is most relevant to human exposure," she said. Although the observed differences in body measurements were subtle, they indicate that what is generally regarded as the most ubiquitous class of chemicals is having a significant effect on newborns. "Every aspect of male identity is altered when you see this in male animals," said University of Missouri-Columbia's Fred vom Saal, professor of reproductive biology. Levels of aggression, parenting behaviour and even learning speeds were affected, he said. The work, which is to appear in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, is due to be presented at the Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Forum in San Diego on June 3. Toxic specialist Gwynne Lyons of the World Wildlife Fund, said: "At the moment regulation of the chemicals industry is woefully inadequate. Right now the government is looking at how the regulation of hormone disrupting chemicals could be made more effective under new European Union chemicals law, but the chemicals industry is lobbying very hard to water down this legislation. "Political agreement on this legislation is not expected until later this year so it remains to be seen whether the government of the United Kingdom has the guts to stand up to industry lobbying. If they don't, wildlife and baby boys will be the losers." — The Guardian Letter to Today Online, 2 Jun 05 Concerns over use of cling-wrap I REFER to your article "Chemicals in plastics 'harming unborn boys'" (May 28). . I have observed that food operators use cling-wrap that is meant for industrial use. It is my understanding that such cling-wrap has been pre-coated with some powder that is not fit for human consumption. I learned this from a vendor of such products. She specifically said that it must not be used for wrapping food meant for consumption once the cling-wrap is removed — in other words, the food and the cling-wrap must not be in contact. Despite this, I have observed food vendors do indeed use this type of cling-wrap. I wonder if the authorities have a view on this matter. Letter from Christie Loh links Related articles on Global issues: general general environmental issues |
| News articles are reproduced for non-profit educational purposes. | |
website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com |