Normal house dust could trigger overweight

Experts are studying the effects of chemicals in house dust
Some people have problems with their weight. Those affected often seek ways and means to reduce their overweight. Of course, a healthy diet and adequate exercise play an important role in reducing body weight. However, researchers now found that even a lack of dust wiping could be a factor in gaining weight. Contaminated pollutants in house dust seem to promote the growth of fat cells.

Researchers at Duke University, North Carolina found in their study that the lack of house dust removal could lead to weight gain. This is due to pollutants contained in house dust. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Environmental Science and Technology".

In every apartment or house there is somewhere so-called house dust. Harmful chemicals in house dust can cause us to develop various diseases and obesity. (Image: akf / fotolia.com)

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in house dust affect the human weight
Dust in our homes could be a health hazard and adversely affect our weight. So-called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) from synthetic or naturally occurring compounds affect the hormones of the human body, explain the authors of the study. Animal studies indicate that exposure to these chemicals at an early age can lead to weight gain later in life. This is due to a disturbed metabolism of the human body. Experts estimate that children consume up to 50 milligrams of house dust per day.

House dust chemicals promote the accumulation of triglycerides and fat cells
The scientists at Duke University were concerned about the potentially harmful effects of so-called EDCs on human health. The physicians therefore began to investigate whether specific compounds in house dust could have an effect on fat cells. For their investigation, the scientists collected samples of house dust from eleven different houses. These samples were subsequently analyzed in the laboratory. Seven samples contained chemicals that cause the production of fat cells and the accumulation of triglycerides. Extracts from nine samples spurred the cells to divide, resulting in a larger amount of precursors of fat cells, explain the physicians. Only one dust sample had no effect at all. The results suggest that the mixture of these chemicals in house dust promotes the accumulation of triglycerides and fat cells, explains author Professor Heather Stapleton.

In which products are the chemicals included??
Even dust levels of up to three micrograms, which are far below the dust mass that children are exposed to daily, cause measurable effects, the researchers say. Many cleaning products contain chemicals such as phenols. Mobile phones, pizza boxes and many water- or dirt-repellent products also contain chemicals such as PFOA and PFOS, explain the authors. So-called EDCs are also found in flame retardants, lubricants, hydraulic fluids and plastics. Some manufacturers are trying to reduce their use, but in most goods the harmful chemicals are still common, the experts explain. The chemicals then accumulate in house dust. This is then inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Further research is needed
There is evidence that exposure to these chemicals could lead to obesity, asthma and autism. In the last 30 years there has been a sharp increase in these three diseases, say the doctors. The question that now arises is how strongly the chemicals affect the diseases. For this reason, further research is needed. Many of the chemicals contained in consumer products eventually end up in the dust and we humans are constantly in contact with this dust, the experts say.