Plastic additives linked to low IQ: Study reveals the hidden risk

If one has to pinpoint one curse of technology and advancement in this modern world, it has to be the invention of plastic.
From production to disposal, plastics wreak havoc on human, plant, and animal health and cause immense amounts of waste in our ecosystems, clogging our land, air, and waterways. Plastic pollution in particular poses a serious threat to all life on Earth because of the toxic nature of the chemical additives used during the production process.
Now, according to a new study co-authored by Yongjoon Park, a University of Massachusetts Amherst economist, three toxic chemicals commonly found in plastics have caused people worldwide to face premature deaths, chronic diseases and even lower IQs.

What does the study say?

According to a UMass Amherst press release, the study analysed data from 38 countries in 2015, representing one-third of the global population, to understand the impact of removing three toxic chemicals from plastics.
Approximately 600,000 lives would have been saved if two of the chemicals were eliminated in countries with one-third of the world’s population, the researchers found. Meanwhile, the economic benefit of reducing exposure to the three toxic chemicals amounted to $1.5 trillion.

Park, an assistant professor of resource economics at UMass Amherst, said in a statement, “More than 16,000 chemicals are incorporated into plastics to produce color, flexibility and durability, but we know very little about how most of them affect human health.” He added, “Looking at just three chemicals, we found significant health and economic costs — and we believe these estimates to be quite conservative.”

What are the top three additives that contribute to the harm?

Bisphenol A (BPA): The first chemical the researchers looked at was Bisphenol A, also known as BPA. BPA is a chemical that’s used to make plastics and resins, and is found in many consumer products. BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastic, which is used in hard plastic items like water bottles, food containers, and baby bottles. It’s also used in eyeglass lenses, CDs, DVDs, and computers.
According to the UMass Amherst press release, BPA is an endocrine disruptor associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and reproductive disorders.
Studies have shown that BPA can harm laboratory animals and may also harm human health. BPA can affect the reproductive system in both males and females, and may cause hormonal, morphological, and functional disorders.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): The researchers also researched Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, also known as DEHP, in the study. DEHP is a colourless, oily, man-made chemical that is used to make plastics more flexible. DEHP is used as a plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins to make flexible vinyl products. It can also be used to detect leaks in protective face gear and as a test material for filtration systems.
The general population can be exposed to DEHP through contaminated food, water, and dust, or by handling products that contain DEHP. DEHP can also be absorbed through the skin. According to the press release, DEHP has been linked to cardiovascular mortality and developmental issues.
DEHP exposure can lead to liver cancer in rats and mice. It can also cause oxidative stress and DNA damage in rat hepatocytes. Studies also suggest that DEHP can negatively impact placental physiological processes, which may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): The last chemical the researchers looked into was polybrominated diphenyl ethers, also known as PBDEs. PBDEs are a group of man-made chemicals used as flame retardants in many products. They are a mixture of several brominated substances, also known as congeners. There are 209 possible PBDE congeners. PBDEs are added to products like mattresses, furniture, electronics, and more to make them less likely to catch fire.
PBDEs can cause neurodevelopmental effects in humans, such as changes in behaviour and movement. They can also interfere with sexual development and menstrual cycles. As per the press release, it can impair cognitive development in children even when they are in the womb.