2023-05-22 11:50:03
The Institute for Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC) detects, for the first time, 11 chemical compounds in the umbilical cord blood of 69 newborn babies from Barcelona. Among them are some ultraviolet filters (UV) used in sun creams and parabens widely used in cosmetics, both possible causes of adverse effects in the early stages of the fetal and infant development. These results demonstrate the transfer of said compounds between the mother and the fetus through the placental barrier.
The methodology included a very precise chemical analysis to specifically detect UV filters and parabens, as well as investigating other compounds more generally. It is not the first time that they have been detected. contaminants in the umbilical cordbut this group of 11 compounds, which include widely used sunscreens, does.
These chemical compounds are transmitted through the placental barrier and pose a risk to health and the environment.
These chemicals are of increasing concern as they are recently being detected in a wide variety of samples and pose a risk to human health and the environment.
“In 17% of the umbilical cord samples that we analyzed, we detected benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone), the most widely used UV filter worldwide for sun protection and currently it is prohibited in some countries”, explains Sílvia Díaz-Cruz, researcher at IDAEA-CSIC and lead author of the study. This endocrine disruptor affects reproduction and causes an increased risk of endometriosis, infertility, and problems during pregnancy and childbirth.
Another of the UV filters is the avobenzona (present in 15% of the samples), detected for the first time in the umbilical cord in this work. This substance is common in sun creams and other body lotions for its wide protection against solar radiation. The compound can interfere with the natural action of estrogens and promote the development of childhood obesity.
Oxybenzone is the most widely used ultraviolet filter in the world and is banned in some countries
In addition, high concentrations of benzophenone-2 (53.3 ng/mL), a known endocrine disruptor. It should be noted that in previous studies these researchers have already found this type of compound in human placenta and breast milk.
Regarding the concentrations detected in the umbilical cord samples, Díaz-Cruz underlines: “the problem with these compounds is that, as they are contaminants of concern and recent detection, the regulation has not established a limit value for human exposure. However, at the product level, cosmetic legislation does require that benzophenone-3 and avobenzone represent up to a maximum of 6% and 4% of the total weight of the productrespectively.
The research team points out that the main route of exposure to these compounds is through dermal contact, although they can also enter the human body through contaminated food or water, or by inhaling air. Among the other chemicals found for the first time in the umbilical cord, stands out the MBM antioxidant additive in plastic containers.
“Considering the limited number of samples in our work, these results should be interpreted as a preliminary reference to study the transfer of chemical compounds through the umbilical cord in a larger population,” concludes Díaz-Cruz.
The authors emphasize that it is necessary to monitor the negative effects of these compounds in the long term and to be able to carry out a more adequate regulation in relation to human health and the environment.
Reference:
Díaz-Cruz, S. et al. “Target analysis and suspect screening of UV filters, parabens and other chemicals used in personal care products in human cord blood: Prenatal exposure by mother-fetus transfer” Environment International (2023)
Rights: Creative Commons.
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