Two Dangerous Plastics That Can Produce Lifelong Damage From Birth to Adulthood
There are two families of chemical compounds that pose dangers in the home that most people are probably unaware of.
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There are two families of chemical compounds that pose dangers in the home that most people are probably unaware of. One is from the chemical compound called phthalate, which are used to make PVC soft plastic shower curtains or wash-off baby bathtub books . The other is the industrial chemical called bisphenol A– the hard and shiny plastics often used for sippy cups and baby bottles. The similar qualities of these two chemicals have the effect that mimics the hormones. As these chemicals leach out of the plastic, they feminize babies and small children. This causes a variety of problems, including smaller penises as planting seeds of cancer that may develop later in life.
These feminizing chemicals are called endocrine disruptors. These interfere with the normal functions of hormones, including thryoid and estrogen.
A child, when exposed to these hormone-mimicking chemicals during the critical period of development, both in utero and pregnancy, may result in lifelong injury.
image source
Estrogen functions as one of the major communicators in the human body, telling cells how they should behave. Even a tiny amount of exposure to additional estrogen can reprogram the reproductive system, which may result to an early onset of adolescence, enlarged prostates, undescended testicles, reduced sperm counts, and smaller penises.
These chemicals can result in reproductive abnormalities that set the stage for eventual cancers later in life such as prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Having these plastics at home can expose its inhabitants to the toxins even in accumulating dust all over the place.
When tested on rodents, phthalates were linked to the following:
- Damaged kidneys
- Liver cancer
- Undescended testicles
- Smaller penises
- Slightly smaller scrotums
- Reduced sperm count
- Hypospadias (a birth defect where the opening of the urethra is on the base of the penis rather than the tip)
- Testicular Cancer
- Reduced testosterone
image source
After several conclusive scientific studies, many countries have been prohibiting the use of these endocrine disruptors in the production of consumer products, especially the ones marketed for children.
To know more about these plastics, read
Identifying Products That Contain The Damaging Compound Called Phthalates
Identifying Bisphenol A: The Dangerous Chemical in Some Plastics
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Published in: Consumer Information
Comments: 23 | Post a CommentPost a Comment
drelayaraja | Jun 24, 2010 | Reply
Well said and China is the biggest exporter of these substances…
Jimmy Shilaho | Jun 24, 2010 | Reply
Informative.
chitragopi | Jun 24, 2010 | Reply
The harmful effects of plastics outweigh the uses. Its time we realised it.
giftarist | Jun 24, 2010 | Reply
Very good info shared here, kabayan. Thanks!
Authoress Terry E. Lyle | Jun 24, 2010 | Reply
Very interesting article on the dangers of plastic.
Marie Nelson | Jun 25, 2010 | Reply
Good article – it’s so hard to know what is safe and what is not – especially when it is items for children.
Sharif Ishnin | Jun 25, 2010 | Reply
I hope governments have at tighter control over these products since I can’t tell the difference if I’m holding one. Great post.
Jewelstar | Jun 25, 2010 | Reply
Plastic is convenient to use, but its impact on our health and environmental pollution is alarming
SharifaMcFarlane | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
These are dangerous chemicals Athena. It is known but their use continues because of the benefits.
Anuradha Ramkumar | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
These are really dangerous. Thnx for the informative article.
tasha kazuki | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
This is scary. We may not see the effects until it’s too late! Thanks
briantaylor1992 | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
I agree with tasha; it is a little unnerving to hear this about the plastic. Makes me want to go change the shower curtains now to maybe a sliding door :O good article.
Starpisces | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
good to read this article for awareness..
Lena Brown | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
I don’t find it surprising at all that plastics are harmful. I have always hated using plastic ANYTHING, cups, utensils etc. Truly informative article. Look for your stats to increase because I am passing this one on to everyone I know! Thanks much…
RS Lannan | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
important topic.
Annemarie Haner | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
I appreciate the information, but it is virtually useless to me unless there is a way for me to IDENTIFY these dangerous compounds. Does anyone have a way to identify if these substances are in objects?
Melody SJAL | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
You have presented this important info very well.
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simplyoj | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for the very informative article.
Andromeda | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
wow, I didn’t know all that until I read your post. Thanks for the warning. Good work on the article.
pattiann | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for telling us this. I have never heard of this. I also want to tell you that besides doing a public service, your article is well written.
Darlene McFarlane | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
This is valuable information that everyone should be aware of. I will pass this along to family and friends along with the links you have given.
Thank you.
LivingFood | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
Isn’t it time someone took some responsibility for these things? It’s horrible what they are doing…at least now we can stop buying these products. Thanks!