6 environmental research studies reveal critical health risks from plastic

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Public release date: 2-Oct-2008

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/e-ser100208.php

Contact: Ylann Schemm

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31-204-852-025

Elsevier

6 environmental research studies reveal critical health risks from plastic

'Plastic world' findings on bisphenol A, phthalates and flame retardants

urge regulatory action

Amsterdam, 2 October 2008 ­- Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates

and flame retardants (PBDEs) are strongly associated with adverse health

effects on humans and laboratory animals. A special section in the

October 2008 issue of Environmental Research, " A Plastic World " provides

critical new research on environmental contaminants and adverse

reproductive and behavioral effects.

Plastic products contain " endocrine disrupting chemicals " that can block

the production of the male sex hormone testosterone (phthalates used in

PVC plastic), mimic the action of the sex hormone estrogen (bisphenol A

or BPA used in polycarbonate plastic), and interfere with thyroid

hormone (brominated flame retardants or PBDEs used in many types of

plastic).

Two articles report very similar changes in male reproductive organs in

rats and humans related to fetal exposure to phthalates. Two articles

show that fetal exposure to BPA or PBDEs disrupts normal development of

the brain and behavior in rats and mice. Two other articles provide data

that these chemicals are massively contaminating the oceans and causing

harm to aquatic wildlife.

The other studies integrate new laboratory research with a broader view

reflecting exposures to a variety of chemicals in plastic. These

ubiquitous chemicals found in many plastics act independently and

together to adversely affect human, animal and environmental health.

The articles show amongst others the massive contamination of the

Pacific Ocean with plastic, and the amount of contamination has

increased dramatically in recent years; animal brain structure, brain

chemistry and behavioral effects from exposure to BPA and " phthalate

syndrome " in rats' male offspring.

" For the first time a series of articles will appear together that

identify that billions of kilograms of a number of chemicals used in the

manufacture of different types of plastic can leach out of plastic

products and cause harm to the brain and reproductive system when

exposure occurs during fetal life or prior to weaning, " emphasized Dr.

Frederick vom Saal, Guest Editor of the " Plastic World " .

" Not only are these studies of scientific importance, they also

contribute to the ongoing US congressional hearings involving the Food

and Drug Administration, " remarked Gert-Jan Geraeds, Publisher of

Environmental Research, " As such, " The Plastic World " has a broader

societal impact and raises awareness of increasingly important

environmental issues " .

###

Notes to editors

Frederick S. vom Saal, Stefano Parmigiani, Paola L. Palanza, Lorne G.

Everett, Ragaini, The plastic world: Sources, amounts,

ecological impacts and effects on development, reproduction, brain and

behavior in aquatic and terrestrial animals and humans, Environmental

Research, 108 (2008), pp. 127 - 130

, Synthetic polymers in the marine environment: A

rapidly increasing, long-term threat, Environmental Research, 108

(2008), pp. 131 – 139

Jörg Oehlmann, Matthias Oetken, Ulrike Schulte-Oehlmann, A critical

evaluation of the environmental risk assessment for plasticizers in the

freshwater environment in Europe, with special emphasis on bisphenol A

and endocrine disruption, Environmental Research, 108 (2008), pp. 140 – 149

Paola Palanza, Gioiosa, Frederick S. vom Saal, Stefano Parmigiani,

Effects of developmental exposure to bisphenol A on brain and behavior

in mice, Environmental Research, 108 (2008), pp. 150 – 157

E. Talsness, Overview of toxicological aspects of polybrominated

diphenyl ethers: A flame-retardant additive in several consumer

products, Environmental Research, 108 (2008), pp. 158 – 167

Kembra L. Howdeshell, V. Rider, Vickie S. , L. Earl Gray

Jr., Mechanisms of action of phthalate esters, individually and in

combination, to induce abnormal reproductive development in male

laboratory rats, Environmental Research, 108 (2008), pp. 168 – 176

Shanna H. Swan, Environmental phthalate exposure in relation to

reproductive outcomes and other health endpoints in humans,

Environmental Research, 108 (2008), pp.

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--

ne Holden, MS, RD

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

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