(ORDO NEWS) — The results of a new study confirm the fact that phthalates – substances found in popular plastics – may be a cause of cancer in children.
Avoiding the use of phthalates today is almost impossible. We can only wait for scientists to find a better and equally effective replacement for them.
Phthalates are almost impossible to avoid for anyone living in today’s 21st century world. They are commonly added to plastics to make them softer and more flexible, but they can also be found in soaps, shampoos, and medical products.
A startling study published last year found that up to 100,000 premature deaths in the United States each year could be attributed to exposure to phthalates. A more recent animal study showed how exposure to phthalates can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How phthalates affect the development of cancer in children
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute examined the link between several childhood cancers and exposure to phthalates.
To quantify the effects of these compounds, the researchers focused on phthalates-based capsule drugs. Using the Danish National Register of Prescriptions, they were able to estimate the effects of phthalates on over a million children under the age of 19.
Overall, childhood exposure to phthalates has been associated with a 20 percent increase in cancer rates. More specifically, phthalates have been associated with a three-fold increase in bone cancer, called osteosarcoma, and a two-fold increase in blood cancer, called lymphoma.
Scientists note that the specific mechanism of the effect of phthalates on the body is not clear, and researchers have yet to figure out how they increase the risk of developing cancer. In any case, we should avoid these oxalic acid salts whenever possible.
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