Chemicals in plastics alter the brains of baby boys, making them "more feminine", say US researchers.
Males exposed to high doses in the womb went on to be less likely to play with boys' toys like cars or to join in rough and tumble games, they found.
The University of Rochester team's latest work adds to concerns about the safety of phthalates, found in vinyl flooring and PVC shower curtains.
The findings are reported in the International Journal of Andrology.
Could this be one of the reasons for the apparent increase in transgendered boys?
Gabi.
See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8361863.stm for more details
Comments
What goes around comes around...
Every few years or so, a different group of scientists come up with very similar research to this - although the usual suspect is contraceptive pills flushed down toilets (even though that seems a slightly odd use for them...)
This particular issue was reported in The Guardian a few days ago, given a mention on Slashdot, someone noticed it there and posted an article at Crystal Hall (aka Whateley Universe Central), I picked up on that and blogged it here (link below), and now the Daily Wail's joined in the fun (further links and analysis over at my blog)...
http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog/16236/dodgy-science-alert
But whenever I see this science scare stories, I'm always reminded of dihydrogen monoxide.
It's a major component of acid rain, has been found in every tumour, and has been shown to contribute to hurricanes. Yet (hopefully) anyone with an inkling of chemistry knowledge should be able to work out the structure of DHMO and thence deduce its more common name...
--Ben
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
I worked at a lab for the Red Cross in Rochester, NY
...of all places, and the Laboratory Grade DHMO was so potent, that we had to carry a Material Safety Data Sheet documenting just how dangerous it was. I believe that immersion for any great length of time was the greatest threat to physical harm, followed closely by having the four by two liter box fall on one's head. Here's an old picture of me at the lab; I trust I look cautious enough? Notice the safety glasses!
She was born for all the wrong reasons but grew up for all the right ones.
Possa Dio riccamente vi benedica, tutto il mio amore, Andrea
Love, Andrea Lena
EXCUSES: A Drabble
by Laika pupkino
.
"Honey, I'm home! They let us all go home early so- Dougie? What are you doing dressed like that? Is that my favorite skirt? My shoes, my stockings? And your sister's blouse! Just what the hell do you think you're- Don't you run away from me young man! Come back here, I want some ANSWERS! And if you think you're in trouble now just wait til your father gets ...... Okay, that's better. Now stop crying, you'll wreck your makeup, and tell me. What's this all about?"
"Mom, I want to say one word to you. Just one word ........... plastics."
,
~~~hugs, Laika
Well shit, I guess it really CAN happen here..,
.
Snerk!
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Shouldn't she have said, "You
Shouldn't she have said, "You wear a belt with that..." as she gets distracted....
Hugs,
Kristy
Of course,
This still doesn't explain how a lot of us got here since we mostly predate the industrial use of plastics (wild assumption based on comments read).
Could it be something else in the water/air? Could it be, as I would guess is actually the case, that there is more than one explanation?
Penny
Hydroxyl Acid
That'll be your culprit - and it's found in both water and air...
I once heard rumours that traces have even been found in Antarctica!
--Ben
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
It couldn't be something...
naturally occurring - for thousands of years... Could it?
A good friend shared this link with me about a year ago: Australian Research.
Phthalates and the male fetus?
My question is this.
If as stated these phthalates cause males exposed to them in the womb to become more feminine - and if - these phthalates are present in vinyl flooring and shower curtains, how the HELL do women get the shower curtains and vinyl flooring up into their wombs to expose the male fetus to them?
with love,
Hope
with love,
HER
Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.
Invironmentally correct moms must have...
Invironmentally correct moms must have had their bathwombs remodeled. Tearing out the old vinyl flooring and tossing the showers curtain. The new bathwomb must have ceramic tiled floors and glass shower doors
with love,
HER
Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.
I remember seeing this on HGTV, yes?
....My Big Amazing Gender Renovation? No...Divine Redesign? No...Hormone Splash? No...My GRS Is Worth What? Never mind....
She was born for all the wrong reasons but grew up for all the right ones.
Possa Dio riccamente vi benedica, tutto il mio amore, Andrea
Love, Andrea Lena
GLBTHGTV
Holmes on Wombs? Nah that might be a little tooooooo over the top. (Who's on top?)
Ut' R Us? Now THAT has a certain old-world charm....
with love,
HER
Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.
DIY
Maybe you're thinking of Changing Wombs, that British show that started a trend?
exposure
The truth is much simpler ... exposure to poorly-done studies by desperate "scientists" who need to publish to keep from perishing causes feminization, cancer, bunions and bad breath.