Plasticizers Now Found To Contribute to Motor Control Problems in Girls

(Newswire.net — November 3, 2022) Orlando, FL — Over the years, researchers have been warning against exposure to toxins and chemicals as they can wreak havoc on health.

Scientists at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) have unearthed an association between prenatal exposure to phthalates and motor function deficits in girls. 

The findings of this longitudinal study were published in the Environmental International journal.

It is worth noting phthalates are a group of plasticizers, ubiquitous by nature, and odor-enhancing chemicals. They are widely used in consumer products like shampoos, household building materials, and plastic toys.

What makes exposure to plasticizers alarming is that they could be disruptive to endocrine function, and could possibly cause interference with brain development in utero.

The investigators in this research measured seven phthalate metabolites in maternal spot urine taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. At the age of 11, they also assessed motor function. 

The findings have shown a decrease in fine motor functions among girls, not boys, after exposure to high levels of specific metabolites. Researchers were able to point out three phthalates most associated with the deficits, namely mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), and mono-isobutyl phthalate (Mbps).

It is important to note that none of these are metabolites of Di-2-Ethylhexyl phthalates (DEHP), which is the most common category of phthalates.

“There’s a growing awareness of the problem of plastics, which are destructive to animal life and ecosystems,” says senior author Pam Factor-Litvak, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology. 

“In this study, we have found new evidence that phthalates — chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and plastics — are harmful to children’s health. Girls with deficits in fine motor skills may have difficulty with their schoolwork, particularly related to problems writing and using electronic devices. They may also have problems with hand-eye coordination.”

There have been many studies that looked into the dangerous effects of toxins and chemicals on human health. It is worth keeping in mind that toxin buildup inside the body is strongly correlated with the increased likelihood of a myriad of health issues.

While it is impossible to completely avoid exposure to these toxins, it is worth noting that there are certain techniques found helpful in reducing their dangerous impacts on the body. It can be beneficial to have a body detox, which lessens the body’s toxic burden. 

Today, formulas like Divine Bounty Activated Charcoal are widely resorted to by individuals who are trying to have a body cleanse. This remedy has a highly porous surface that serves as a magnet to toxins and chemicals (amazon.com/Organic-Activated-Charcoal-Capsules-Whitening/dp/B071NZ5G56).