Ecocyclic’s Post

Important new research linking endocrine-disrupting plastic chemicals to $249 billion in health care costs. Read the new study published in the Journal of Endocrinology. Access the study below. By contributing to the development of chronic disease and death, a group of hormone-disruptive plastic chemicals is costing the US health care system billions — over $249 billion in 2018 alone, a new study found. “The real contribution of this work is helping the public understand how much of the human health threat of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is due to plastics,” said lead author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and population health at NYU Langone Health in New York City. “We’re talking about cancer. We’re talking about brain damage in young children. We’re talking about obesity and diabetes, heart disease and early deaths in adults,” Trasande said. “Right now, the United States is not considering the costs to its own population of industries which continue to produce and consume plastic in the US.” While estimates of the health costs of plastics have been done in the past, the new study provides a “a better understanding of both potential exposure routes but also potential targets for solutions,” said researcher Bethanie Carney Almroth, professor of ecotoxicology and environmental science at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. “And since money talks, this could be a powerful tool in helping people, from consumers to policy makers, in understanding the importance of regulating these chemicals,” said Carney Almroth in an email. She was not involved in the research. #plastics #plasticpollution #plasticwaste #reduceplastics #zeroplastic #recycling #sustainability #sustainable #endocrinedisruptors #edcs #ncds #noncomminicablediseases #obesity #publichealth #planetaryhealth #polluterpays

Why Plastic is Bad for Your Health? We all know by now that plastic has a wide range of negative consequences for the environment, but did you know that plastic is also bad for your health? Research shows that your plastic container could be leeching toxins into the food or drink you’re consuming These toxins are considered “endocrine disruptors”— meaning they can be throwing your hormones out of whack, and even affecting fertility and pregnancy. BPA is the most commonly known endocrine disruptor, but others may be lurking in your water bottle or plastic product even if it’s BPA free, like BPS, BPF, or a variety of other toxins. Heating plastic products is especially problematic—leaving a plastic water bottle in your car or throwing some leftovers in a plastic container into the microwave accelerates the release of the toxins. While exposure to these toxins once in a while may not be so bad, reheating your lunch (or your kid’s lunch!) in or on plastic daily could have significant long-term health effects. So removing single-use plastics from our daily life can be an easy move we all can do to benefit your health. 

Just in: plastics proven to devastate health, calls grow for regulation World’s biggest study finds array of harms from common plastics https://lnkd.in/gz73__s4 The world’s first major scientific review into the effects of plastics and microplastics chemicals on human health has found that the chemicals in many common products are associated with a wide range of health risks, including poor birth outcomes and miscarriage, infertility, metabolic disease and endocrine dysfunction. Australian researchers who carried out the study say it “categorically proves” that none of the chemicals examined, including BPA, flame retardants, PFAS and an array of other common chemicals found in plastics that infiltrate people’s bodies in small quantities every day, can be considered safe. “This is a red flag for the world,” said Professor Sarah Dunlop, head of the plastics and human health research program at the University of Western Australia. “We must minimise our exposure to these plastic chemicals, as well as the many that haven’t yet been assessed for human health outcomes but are known to be toxic.” The peer-reviewed study published in the Annals of Global Health by Australian doctors and academics associated with the Perth-based Minderoo Foundation was an umbrella review – considered the highest level of scientific synthesis – of almost 800 published studies and 52 systematic reviews into the effects of plastics chemicals. “To our knowledge, this study is first to investigate the complete, high-level, evidence for human health effects of plastics and plastic-associated chemicals across a broad range of plastic chemical groups,” the authors of the study said. It follows a Florey Institute study earlier this month that for the first time established a biological ­pathway between the plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and autism spectrum disorder. The umbrella review investigated five classes of chemicals including bisphenols and phthalates, PBDE, PCBs and PFAS, known as a ‘forever chemical’ used at defence bases that has been found in several crucial water supply plants. Also included were plasticisers and flame retardants – two classes of functional additive with the highest concentration ranges in plastic. The study found that none of the investigated classes of chemicals are safe with statistically significant harmful impacts found for fertility in men and women, birth weight in babies, children’s neurodevelopment, and the development of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and asthma.

"But the implications go beyond mere environmental contamination. Emerging research is revealing that microplastics may be doing more than just polluting our surroundings—they could be affecting our health in profound ways. These particles are increasingly recognized as endocrine disruptors, capable of interfering with our hormonal systems. By mimicking hormones like estrogen and cortisol, microplastics may contribute to weight gain, metabolic issues, fertility and other serious health problems." It is not just the plastic water bottles. The #microplastics are everywhere around us and come in different shapes and forms, one of them being also the spaghetti-like microfibres that shed from our textiles during laundry. Due to their form they easily escape most filtration devices, so our #microfiber filter was designed specifically with that in mind. It captures up to 98% of microfibres at the very source, the washing machine, before they are released into the environment and our food chain and cause harm to our health. "Microplastics can act like xenoestrogens, chemicals that mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors in the body. This can disrupt the hormonal balance, particularly in children, leading to early puberty and unusual weight gain. The disruption of natural hormone functions is a growing concern, especially as we observe more children experiencing these health issues at younger ages. This can also have negative effects in adult males, including weight gain, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, reduced sex drive, decreased energy, decreased muscle mass and infertility, according to a study published in 2021 by researchers at the University of Naples Parthenope in Italy." You can act. Thank you for being part of the solution! 💙🌊💚🌍 #health #innovation #pollutionsolution #sustainability #closedloop

The smaller the molecule or particle, the higher the risk for health impact. There is limited research on direct microplastics particle impact on human health. The likely first line of impact would be through toxic plastic additives, such as BPA, phthaltes, carried within microplastics. Microplastics: how toxic and what exactly are they?

My patients have endured my preaching on personal theories of the impact of endocrine disruptors on our health for years. I'm just happy that the science has become more supportive and the information more disseminated in mainline medical media. Over the last decade, I have become more convinced that gynecologic diseases such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, menstrual issues, PCOS, endometrial cancers, breast cancers and more generally obesity (and in men, testosterone deficiency), are on the increase because of our exposure to plastics and "endocrine disrupting chemicals" (EDC). Seeing all the disposable water bottles makes me cringe, not just from my concern of how much plastic production chemicals are swimming around in the H2O, but also the huge amount of waste added to our landfills. Unfortunately, the quest to avoid the ever-presence of plastics in our lives demands an active, unrelenting, and conscientious effort to limit use and exposure to these products. And, coming soon, we'll be hearing more about micro-metals in our aluminum encased beverages (acidic sodas release aluminum molecule from their cans) and the health concerns from that exposure. Admit it--pop in a glass bottle, is not only likely safer, but much more svelte. Just saying.... :-)

🌱 Let's be More Aware Consumers: Choosing Safer Alternatives for Ourselves and Our Families 🌱 "BPA Free" does not mean it's safe! Plastic is Plastic - let's switch to safer alternatives wherever possible. Even BPA-free plastic contains other chemicals, like phthalates, BPF, BPS, which behave in the same manner as BPA, leaching into water and food, disrupting hormones, and causing numerous health issues. In 1960, the FDA approved the use of BPA in consumer products. Initial concerns about BPA were raised in 1992. Since then, hundreds of studies have been conducted, establishing that BPA is a hormone disruptor and could cause infertility, heart disease, cancer, obesity, and neurological disorders. In 2008, government organizations worldwide began discussions on banning BPA in baby products, as it was established that babies are more prone to the harmful effects of this chemical. In 2011, the European Union banned its use in baby bottles, followed by the FDA in 2012. However, as of 2017, BPA is still used in many consumer products, including water bottles, can linings, and receipts. Activists continue to struggle for a complete ban. Let's not rely on industrialists, who are concerned only about their profits, to make choices for us. Ready to join the movement to live a more conscious and aware lifestyle? Join my group Soulful World and let's make informed choices for a healthier, safer future for ourselves and our families. Further read: https://lnkd.in/g33rawHf #SoulfulWorld #SoulfulWorld108 #NaturalLiving #ChemicalFree #HealthyChoices #ToxinFree #EnvironmentalHealth #CleanLiving #WellnessWednesday #EcoFriendly #GreenLiving #SafeProducts #HealthyHome #ConsciousConsumer #Detoxify #ToxicFreeLiving #SustainableLiving #MindfulLiving #HealthAndWellness #NonToxicLiving

🌱 Let's be More Aware Consumers: Choosing Safer Alternatives for Ourselves and Our Families 🌱#SoulfulWorld "BPA Free" does not mean it's safe! Plastic is Plastic - let's switch to safer alternatives wherever possible. Even BPA-free plastic contains other chemicals, like phthalates, BPF, BPS, which behave in the same manner as BPA, leaching into water and food, disrupting hormones, and causing numerous health issues. In 1960, the FDA approved the use of BPA in consumer products. Initial concerns about BPA were raised in 1992. Since then, hundreds of studies have been conducted, establishing that BPA is a hormone disruptor and could cause infertility, heart disease, cancer, obesity, and neurological disorders. In 2008, government organizations worldwide began discussions on banning BPA in baby products, as it was established that babies are more prone to the harmful effects of this chemical. In 2011, the European Union banned its use in baby bottles, followed by the FDA in 2012. However, BPA is still used in many consumer products, including water bottles, can linings, and receipts. Activists continue to struggle for a complete ban. Let's not rely on industrialists, who are concerned only about their profits, to make choices for us. Ready to join the movement to live a more conscious and aware life? Join my group Soulful World and let's make informed choices for a healthier, safer future for ourselves and our families. #SoulfulWorld #SoulfulWorld108  #NaturalLiving  #ChemicalFree  #HealthyChoices  #ToxinFree  #EnvironmentalHealth  #CleanLiving  #WellnessWednesday  #EcoFriendly  #GreenLiving  #SafeProducts  #HealthyHome  #ConsciousConsumer  #Detoxify  #ToxicFreeLiving  #SustainableLiving  #MindfulLiving  #HealthAndWellness  #NonToxicLiving

Microplastics- A Significant Health Concern? I’m sure you’ve heard of microplastics, the tiny pieces of plastic that are polluting our food and potentially harming our health. But do you know how much we are exposed to them, and what are the possible consequences? According to a recent review article, humans are exposed to between tens of thousands and millions of microplastics each year, or several milligrams per day. The main exposure routes are inhalation of indoor air, drinking water in plastic bottles, and food intake. The exact amount and types of microplastics remain undetermined. Microplastics can enter our body through the skin, gut, or lungs, and depending on their size, shape, chemical composition, and other factors, they can have different effects on our cells and organs. For example, microplastics smaller than 1 micrometer, called nanoplastics, cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain, where they cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity. Microplastics can also affect our endocrine system, by mimicking or interfering with hormones, and our immune system, by triggering inflammatory responses or altering the gut microbiota. Moreover, microplastics can be transferred to future generations. Given the widespread and persistent nature of microplastics, it is prudent to take measures to reduce their production, use, and release into the environment. Some of these measures include recycling plastics, developing biodegradable alternatives, banning or regulating primary microplastics (such as microbeads in cosmetics), and improving waste management and treatment. I hope this post has raised your awareness and curiosity about microplastics and their health effects. If you want to learn more, you can check out the references below, or join my newsletter "Epoch Explorer" where I will discuss this topic in more detail. Thank you for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments. #microplastics #health #epigenetics #biology

With microplastics now everywhere. We have no where to hide. With the figures shared here of individual involuntary daily dosing of microplastics by country. Where do you begin when these substance are hidden in our food, in the air we breathe, breast milk 😰. The only way to resolve this infestation is to go upstream and curb production while rethinking transitioning away from plastic products…………💭 “Most research has focused on ways the particles cause inflammation. A 2022 study reported a correlation in higher levels of microplastics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A newer study, published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine, found a link between microplastics and heart attacks and strokes.” It does seem quite overwhelming. However, we can start individually taking steps towards replacing plastic products with safer alternatives in our own homes. I noted and adver on this for the first in the last couple of weeks on our Telly as well. So the wheels are turning………..💭