Obesity, diabetes linked to chemical exposure, group suggests

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Obesity and diabetes are two of the major global health concerns that experts are trying to solve. While high caloric intake is arguably the main reason for both, one group suggests that mounting evidence links these medical conditions to chemicals found in almost all plastic materials.

Eureka Alert reports that according to the group Endocrine Society, which addressed the importance of scientific approach in limiting health risk at the International Conference on Chemicals Management in Switzerland, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) may be triggering the development of obesity and diabetes in people.

The most well-known type of EDC is bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical usually found in canned food linings, receipts, cosmetics, plastic wares and pesticides. These chemicals are said to contribute to medical conditions by blocking or interfering with the hormones of the body. Through these actions, cell growth and development are altered, resulting to hormonal imbalance.

The estimated human EDC exposure can cost up to $209 billion in health and medical expenses, making it one of the deadliest health hazards in the world.

Dr. Andrea Gore, pharmacologist from the University of Texas and lead of the task force, explains that evidence surrounding the role of EDC in harming humans has been more defined than ever, WebMD adds. Many studies are making the same conclusion and these should be given much thought by experts.

Unborn children are especially at higher risk of being exposed to EDCs, as studies discovered that even tiny amounts of EDC gathered during the prenatal period can result to obesity later in life. Incidentally, another animal study states that EDC targets the alpha and beta cells of fat, liver cells and pancreas, leading to an increase in insulin production, causing diabetes.

Clearly, more research should be done on EDCs and their adverse effects on health, NBC News reports. It is best to have them tested before being approved as safe for human use.

Additionally, Gore and her team believe that minimizing exposure should be the top priority but this may be difficult as BPA-products are everywhere. In order to do what is necessary, tapping industrial experts and "green chemists" might help and certainly further awareness and public education should be administered by policymakers.

Other attendees like Dr. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon form the University of Liege in Belgium shares the same sentiments of the group, emphasizing that principles of endocrinology may be the key to help develop policies in regulating products with EDC.