courtesy:tumbler
The world health organization - WHO for short - has reported very recently that there is mounting evidence of a global threat to health by certain hormone-mimicking chemicals released in the environment and present in the food chain.
A panel of 16 scientists from 10 nations has undertaken a large study in the possible connection against certain 'hormone-mimicking' compounds and the higher incidence of endocrine related diseases. Endocrine related diseases are diseases that affect the thyroid, the brain, and the human metabolic process.
The results of the study has evidenced the link between these man-made chemicals and certain chronic diseases. The increase seen in the incidence of the disease has been seen globally.
Other problems caused by the exposure to such chemicals are male reproductive problems, certain cancers, weight gain and brain development in children, who are especially vulnerable.
The evidence, which had been disputed in rebuttals to earlier studies, is now much more in focus. The evidence is also confirmed by the degree with which the incidence of said diseases is rising. Any time there is a sudden change or growth of a set of diseases, which had in the past remained steady or exhibited minor growth trends, such drastic change is usually a marker for man made chemical exposure.
For a long time, one of the biggest threats was thought to be the persistent presence of chemicals such as DDT and PCBs. Although these chemicals are now banned in the US, they are still very much persistant in the environment, and unfortunately still in use in some countries, thereby continuing their effect on some wildlife species.
However less persistant but similar compound, BPA, and pthtalates, are still very much in use, and are found almost everywhere in everyday products and food.
These chemicals are being labeled as pseudo-persistant, because they have a shorter life in the environment compared to their predecessor, but because of the large quantities used in a very wide range of products, the effect is nearly the same as if the individual or animals were exposed to the older, more persistant class of chemicals. In this case, the sheer quantity of these chemicals to which we are exposed and their ubiquitousness, make up for the lessened persistance in the environment.
The solution, according to most of the scientists queried, is to limit or ban the chemicals in question. But the efforts of the industry that produces them has limited action from government agencies.
In fact the chemical Council has repeatedly challenged the reports, questioning the validity of the studies done on BPA and phtalates.
Source: Environmental Health News 2.19.13
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