The deadly danger of plastic food containers named

by time news

People with the highest phthalate levels have a higher risk of dying from any cause, especially cardiovascular disease, according to a study published Tuesday in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Pollution.

According to CNN, the study estimates that these deaths could cost the US $ 40 billion to $ 47 billion annually in lost economic productivity.

“This study complements a growing database of the effects of plastics on the human body and supports public health and business rationales for reducing or eliminating the use of plastics,” said study lead author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, professor of pediatrics and environmental and health medicine at NYU. Langone Health in New York.

Phthalates are known to interfere with the body’s hormone production mechanism, known as the endocrine system, and are “linked to developmental, reproductive, brain, immune and other problems,” according to the National Institute of Environmental Sciences. Experts say that even small hormonal disruptions can cause “significant developmental effects and biological consequences.”

Previous research has linked phthalates to reproductive problems such as genital malformations and undescended testes in boys, and decreased sperm count and testosterone levels in adult men. Previous research has also linked phthalates to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

“These chemicals have a reputation,” says Dr. Leonardo Trasande, who also runs the Center for Environmental Hazard Investigation at New York University in Langone. “And the thing is, when you look at the entire body of evidence, it gives a haunting picture of worry.”

The American Chemicals Council, representing the US chemical, plastics and chlorine industries, shared the statement with CNN via email. “Much of the content of the latest research by Trasande and others is clearly inaccurate,” wrote Eileen Connelly, senior director of chemicals and technology. She added that the study grouped all phthalates into one group, but it was not mentioned that the industry claims that high molecular weight phthalates like DINP and DIDP are less toxic than other phthalates.

“Studies like these do not look at all phthalates in isolation and have consistently ignored or downplayed the importance of scientific, authoritative conclusions regarding the safety of high molecular weight phthalates,” Connelly writes.

Often called “chemicals all over the place” because they are so ubiquitous, phthalates are added to consumer products such as PVC plumbing, vinyl flooring, moisture and stain resistant products, medical tubing, garden hoses, and some children’s toys to make plastic more flexible and less brittle.

Other common exposures are associated with the use of phthalates in food packaging, detergents, clothing, furniture, and automotive plastics. Phthalates are also added to personal care items such as shampoo, soap, hairspray, and cosmetics to help keep the fragrance lasting longer.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people are exposed when they inhale contaminated air, eat or drink foods that have come into contact with plastic. “Children crawl and touch many things and then put their hands in their mouths. Because of this hand-in-mouth behavior, phthalate particles in dust may pose a greater risk to children than adults, ”the CDC says.

Trasande said the new study measured urinary phthalates in more than 5,000 adults aged 55 to 64 and compared those levels with an average 10-year risk of early death. The researchers monitored preexisting heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other common diseases, poor eating habits, physical activity and body weight, and levels of other well-known hormone disruptors such as bisphenol A or BPA, he said.

“However, I will never tell you that this is the definitive study,” comments Leonardo Trasande to CNN. “It’s a snapshot in time, and it can only show a link.”

According to him, in order to find out exactly how phthalates can affect the body, it is necessary to conduct a double-blind, randomized clinical trial that meets the “gold standard”. However, such a study will never be done, he added, “because we cannot ethically randomize people to be exposed to potentially toxic chemicals.”

“But we already know that phthalates interact with the male sex hormone, testosterone, which is a predictor of cardiovascular disease in adults. And we already know that these exposures can contribute to the many conditions associated with mortality, such as obesity and diabetes, ”said Trasande.

BPA chemicals have also been linked to abnormalities in the reproductive system of male infants and later problems of infertility in adult men, as well as obesity, heart disease, cancer, and premature death from any cause. The synthetic compound was previously found in most baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula containers until parents boycotted these products more than a decade ago. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of this chemical in bottles and sippy cups in 2012.

Exposure to phthalates and other endocrine disruptors such as BPA, which can still be found in the lining of canned food and paper receipts, can be minimized, Dr. Trasande said. “First, avoid plastic as much as possible. Never put plastic containers in a microwave or dishwasher, as heat can erode the lining so they can be absorbed more easily, he advises. “Plus, cooking at home and cutting back on processed foods can reduce the level of chemical exposure you come in contact with.”

Here are some more tips to help reduce the risk of exposure to you and your family, according to CNN. For example, it is best to use unscented lotions and laundry detergents, as well as unscented cleaners. For food storage, it is more advisable to use glass, stainless steel, ceramics or wood. It’s also better to buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned and processed ones. And it’s worth washing your hands more often to remove traces of chemical materials from them.

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