Toxic chemicals in fragrances, nail polish and shampoos can increase a woman’s risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a study.
Phthalates are chemicals that strengthen plastics and are used as lubricants in many cosmetic products. The chemicals can seep through the skin and damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and other organs.
University of Michigan researchers who followed 1,300 middle-aged women for six years found those who were heavily exposed to the chemicals were 63 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
The Food and Drug Administration warns that these chemicals are also found in hairspray, aftershave, and other beauty products.
Toxic chemicals like phthalates in personal care products can penetrate the skin and then the bloodstream. Studies suggest that this may pose a health risk
Scientists are now trying to fill the research gap with recent findings that the chemicals increase the risk of uterine tumors and cancer and stun newborn growth.
Phthalates are often added to products during the manufacturing process to give them a specific quality, such as better lubrication or durability.
In the study, published today in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, scientists recruited 1,300 American women who did not have diabetes.
They used data from the SWAN Multi-Pollutant Study, a survey of middle-aged women. They were monitored for six years – from 2000 to 2006 – using urine samples taken at the start of the study and in 2002/2003 to test for phthalates.
Scientists assessed the presence of 11 types of phthalates, including low molecular weight types, commonly used in personal care products such as fragrances, nail polish and some feminine hygiene products.
They also looked at di-2-ethylhexyl metabolites, which are commonly found in plastic food packaging and some children’s toys.
During the study period, 61 women developed type 2 diabetes, the scientists determined (almost five percent).
An analysis adjusted for factors such as demographics, lifestyle and health-related factors showed that women with high exposure to phthalates were more likely to develop the condition.
Scientists suspect that the toxic chemicals can cause diabetes because they can disrupt the hormones insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar and trigger insulin resistance in cells.
Insulin works by causing cells to take up sugar from the blood, thereby lowering blood sugar levels, while glucagon has the opposite effect – it causes the liver to start releasing sugar when blood sugar levels get too low.
When the body becomes resistant to one of these hormones, it can’t regulate blood sugar levels – which triggers type 2 diabetes.
As a result, patients have to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels and inject insulin to keep them under control.
In the most severe cases, the condition can lead to nerve damage and kidney problems.
Diabetes patients are also at risk of amputation. Narrowed arteries can lead to reduced blood flow to the extremities – such as the feet.
This can cause wounds to heal slowly or not at all. Should an infection then develop and spread to the bone, doctors may have no choice but to amputate.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise.
Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is genetic and usually shows up early in life.
Scientists found that black women were not as affected by phthalates as women of other races. They believe it might have something to do with the different types of cosmetic products used by different races.
dr Sung Kyun Park, a Michigan epidemiologist who led the study, said: “Our research found that phthalates may contribute to a higher incidence of diabetes in women, particularly white women, over a six-year period.
“People are exposed to phthalates on a daily basis, increasing their risk of various metabolic diseases. It is important that we address EDCs now as they are harmful to human health.”
They added: ‘Our research is a step in the right direction to better understand the effect of phthalates on metabolic diseases, but more research is needed.’
The limitations of the research include the fact that it had a small sample size and could not prove that phthalates had caused more cases of type 2 diabetes.
Other factors such as obesity, poor diet and sleep deprivation could also play a role.
WHAT ARE PHTHALATES? AND IN WHICH EVERYDAY OBJECTS CAN YOU FIND YOURSELF?
What are phthalates?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to soften plastic to make it more flexible.
Some of the most common phthalates are dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and disodecyl phthalate (DIDP).
Over the past decade, phthalates have been linked to infertility, obesity and developmental disabilities. Their use is restricted in some countries.
People consume them by eating and drinking food that has been in contact with phthalate particles, or by breathing them.
Young children can also pick them up by crawling and touching lots of things and then putting their hands in their mouths.
Which products contain them?
The chemicals are used in numerous everyday products.
Household products such as food wrap, cleaning supplies, toys, vinyl floors, and wall coverings can contain the chemicals.
They are also used in medical products such as blood bags and tubing.
Toiletries like nail polish, hairspray, aftershave, soap, shampoo, and perfume also use the chemicals.