Plasticizers cause diabetes and obesity

Study: Plasticizers cause diabetes and obesity

03/20/2012

Bisphenol A, plasticizer and flame retardants can lead to obesity and diabetes. This resulted in a study presented by the German Federal Government for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND). Exhaled breath, skin or food causes the harmful substances contained in plastic toys, PVC floors or food cans to enter the body.

Softeners are absorbed by breathing air, skin or food
Plasticizers or so-called hormone-active pollutants are contained in many everyday objects. According to a study by the English environmental organization ChemTrus aktuell, these substances represent an increased risk for obesity and diabetes type II. The substances are absorbed by breathing air, skin or food from humans.

So far, an unhealthy, high-fat diet and lack of exercise have been the main indicators of obesity and diabetes. The study presented by environmentalists of the BUND shows that hormonal pollutants have a significant and hitherto underestimated influence on the human organism. Professor Gilbert Schönfelder, toxicologist at the Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Charité Berlin. stated: „Diabetes and obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The reasons for this have so far been primarily poor diet and lack of exercise. New studies show, however, that exposure to hormonal contaminants could have an important and previously underestimated share of it. First and foremost, hormonally active chemicals should not end up in the bodies of children or adults.“

Chemicals cause obesity and insulin resistance
So far, the plasticizers were primarily suspected of triggering disorders of sexual functions. „Exposure to chemicals such as bisphenol A in the womb has led to increased weight gain and insulin resistance in experimental animals. There is a risk of causing diabetes in humans. In view of this realization, the Federal Government must ensure that the exposure to chemicals is minimized, especially for sensitive groups such as pregnant women and children. Plasticizers and bisphenol A must be replaced by safe alternatives“, calls Sarah Häuser, expert at the BUND.

The number of diabetes patients and those affected by obesity has increased dramatically in the last decade worldwide. While the overweight trend in western industrialized nations has settled at a high level, experts in the metabolic disease type II diabetes are seeing steadily rising incidence rates. Compared with its European neighbors, Germany is hit hardest by a diabetes quota of nine percent. In this metastatic study, 240 studies were summarized. From the data situation go clearly, „The causes of overweight and diabetes also include hormonal pollutants, said Sarah Häuser, chemistry expert at BUND.

Bisphenol-A prohibited in baby bottles
Baby bottles containing bisphenol-A are now prohibited in Germany. However, it remains to be seen what consequences the results of the study will have. In the case of bisphenol-A, sufficient scientific advice had been available in Germany long before the ban on the chemical in baby bottles, which had a harmful effect on the human body. In many European countries, a ban was enforced much earlier. In Germany, however, consumer advocates long warned against the toxic chemical, until on 1 March 2011, a ban on the use of bisphenol-A in baby bottles was finally introduced. Since June 2011, the contaminated bottles may no longer be sold. However, the toxic chemical is still present in many other products. (Ag)

Read about:
Pesticides and softeners threaten rivers
Harmful chemicals in textiles
BUND: Increased plasticizer load in day nurseries
Bisphenol-A causes infertility in women
Environmentalists: BPA ban completely inadequate
Bisphenol A makes girls hyperactive and aggressive
Ban on bisphenol-A in baby bottles
Lobbyists prevent Bisphenol-A ban
Study: Girls getting sexually mature sooner
Hormone-active chemicals threaten health

Image: BUND / Andreas Creutzburg, Copyright (BUND / gde.de)