Exposure to Phthaltes
February 27, 2010 by Jo · Leave a Comment
Higher levels of exposure to phthalates while pregnant could be linked to disruptive behaviour patterns in children, according to a recent US study. Phthalates are a large class of compounds some of which are found in cosmetic products such as fragrances and nail varnishes
According to a study recently published in the Environmental Health Perspectives online journal, prenatal exposure to high levels of low molecular weight phthalates (including those that are found in some cosmetic products, for example diethyl phthalate (DEP)) were associated with behavioural problems in children. The study, led by Dr Stephanie Engel of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, took urine samples from 177 women who were enrolled for prenatal care either at the Mount Sinai Diagnostic Treatment Center or at two private practices on the Upper East Side of Manhatten. These urine samples (which were taken between 25 and 40 weeks into the pregnancy) were analysed for ten phthalate metabolites that were divided into two groups, high molecular weight and low molecular weight, to limit the number of statistical tests performed.
Women were invited for three follow up visits when their children were between 4 and 9 years old, and behavioural questionnaires were administered. Parental judgements on behaviour The parent-report sections of both the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF) and the Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC-PRS) were completed by the mothers at each visit. Poorer scores on BASC indexes such as aggression, attention problems, conduct problems and depression, were associated with higher maternal levels of low molecular weight phthalates, the scientists claimed. In addition, higher scores on the BRIEF scales such as emotional control were also associated with higher phthalate levels. The behaviours recorded in the study do not meet the ‘at risk’ or ‘clinically significant’ criteria, note the researchers.
However, they argue that the findings warrant additional study on the role of prenatal exposure to low molecular weight phthalates in the emergence of disruptive behaviour problems in children. Although the researchers are unsure of a mechanism behind these effects, they postulate it could be linked to phthalates’ potential endocrine effects and conclude the more research is ‘urgently needed’ in order to replicate the findings. If the findings were to be replicated, limits to prenatal exposure may need to be put in place, the researchers argued.
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Proposed Bill on Personal Care Products
February 24, 2010 by Jo · Leave a Comment
In Colorado in the United States, senators are calling on the state to crackdown on ‘cancer-causing’ chemicals in personal care products. Senator Betty Boyd and Representative Dianne Primavera introduced the ‘Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act’ into the house earlier this month.
The propsed Bill, number HB 1248, argues that ‘many personal care products contain chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive toxicity’. If passed the act would prohibit, in the state of Colorado, the sale and distribution of personal care products that contain such ingredients, in addition to a fine of $5,000-10,000 for offending manufacturers. This, the bill argues, is necessary in order to protect the citizens of the state as neither the FDA nor the Colorado Department of Public Health reviews and approves personal care products before sale.
The bill proposes to use existing lists of ‘harmful chemicals’ from bodies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, the international agency for research on cancer and the national toxicology program, in order to determine whether an ingredient is a carcinogen or a reproductive toxin.
A hearing to be held in late February, will see sponsors of the bill set out the supporting case, and those opposing the act, including the US trade association the Personal Care Products Council, challenging it, before it will be voted on by the committee.
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