Study hormone-like substances in baby teethers

Two out of ten baby teething rings with hormone-like substances
Baby teething rings are kept in the mouth by infants, which is why they should not contain any harmful substances. However, scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt have now identified chemicals with a hormone-like effect in two out of every ten teething rings tested. Deficiencies in product safety are a problem for consumers, manufacturers and regulatory authorities, which urgently needs to be resolved, write the researchers of the Goethe University in the journal "Journal of Applied Toxicology".

Although the scientists were able to Martin Wagner from the Department of Aquatic Ecotoxicology at the Goethe University in Frankfurt did not detect any environmental hormones in most of the baby biting rings examined, but not all products were wholly uncritical. "The good news is that most of the teethers we've examined do not contain any environmental hormones," says Wagner. However, the detection of parabens in a product was conspicuous, "because these additives are not normally used in plastic toys." And in another teething ring, the researchers found six previously unidentified environmental hormones.

Researchers find environmental hormones in two out of ten baby teething rings. Picture: light fish / fotolia.com

A baby teether contained six unidentified environmental hormones
The proven parabens, substances such as methyl, ethyl and propylparaben, are used in cosmetics as a preservative. According to the researchers, they can "act like natural estrogen in the body and also inhibit the effects of androgens such as testosterone." Recently, the European Commission banned propylparaben as a preservative in skin creams for sore baby babies, because the substances penetrate through the chapped skin into the skin Body could arrive. In a teething ring for babies, therefore, they have nothing to look for. According to the researchers, the second positively tested teething ring contained six previously unidentified environmental hormones.

Infants and children particularly at risk
In the light of the findings, the researchers conclude that "plastic toys can be a source of unwanted substances." Here, manufacturers, regulators, and scientists should study the chemical burden of plastic toys more thoroughly, Wagner said. In general, the additives are of limited use for the quality of the product but could pose a health risk. Infants and toddlers in particular are more at risk from the hormonally active substances, because their development is subject to a finely balanced hormonal control. In addition, the effect of environmental hormones in babies due to the relatively low body weight is correspondingly higher than in adults. (Fp)

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