Chemicals including phthalates, parabens, phenols, parabens, and hazardous metals are commonly found in personal care and beauty products, and they can mimic, block, or interact with hormones in the body. Long-term exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been linked to a slew of health problems, and they’re especially dangerous for kids, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Exposure to these chemicals present in certain personal care products may affect the levels of sex steroid hormones such as estrogens and progesterone, as well as thyroid hormones in pregnant women. According to the experts, changes in these hormone levels during pregnancy can have serious effects.
Hair products may cause sex steroid hormones to be disrupted.
More than 1,000 pregnant women from Puerto Rico participated in the study, which comprised a series of questionnaires that included questions on the personal care items they use. During their pregnancies, they also gave blood samples twice.
The use of hair products, particularly hair colors, bleach, relaxers, and mousse, was linked to reduced levels of sex steroid hormones, which are important for supporting pregnancy and foetal development, according to blood tests. Disruptions of these hormones, according to the study published in Environmental Research, can lead to negative maternal and pregnancy outcomes such as growth restriction, premature birth, and low birth weight.
Commonly used EDCs
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are also found in a variety of everyday items, including children’s toys. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been discovered in children’s toys, plastic bottles, and food containers, for example. While flame retardants are commonly found in furniture and floor coverings, phthalates are commonly found in cosmetics and plastics.
Blood, fat, and umbilical cord blood samples from people all around the world have been shown to include these prevalent EDCs.
The Endocrine Society and IPEN said in a statement last year that increased exposure to EDCs could be to blame for the rising number of cases of infertility, diabetes, early puberty, early menopause, cancer, birth abnormalities, and neurobehavioral problems.
Also Read: Ways To Control Healthcare Expense
