Research by Taiwanese scientists suggest two chemicals commonly leached from plastic containers could hinder the development of fetuses in some pregnant women.
Of the groups studied, pregnant women in Taiwan had the highest concentrations of such compounds in their bodies.
The research paper was published in Volume 22 of the journal Human Reproduction.
The two chemicals -- dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) -- belong to a group of compounds known as phthalates. Described as "ubiquitous" in the paper, phthalates can be released from plastic bags, toys, or containers for cosmetics.
The researchers found that the higher the level of DEP and DEHP metabolites in a pregnant woman, the lower her level of thyroid hormones is likely to be.
Previous research has shown that hypothyroidism could lead to preterm birth and low birth weight, as well as impair the post-natal mental development of infants, they said.
Phthalates are suspected of being an environmental hormone, or compounds with the ability to bind to receptors in the human body in competition with actual hormones.
Data gathered from pregnant Taiwanese women also suggests that they have higher levels of DBP and DEHP in their bodies compared with pregnant women in other countries, such as South Korea and the US.
significant
The study measured the level of DBP and DEHP metabolites in the urine samples of 76 pregnant women. Although the sample is small, the results are statistically significant, the researchers said.
"We know that for reasons probably relating to metabolism, pregnant women are likely to have higher levels of DBP and DEHP in their bodies," said Lee Ching-chang (
Taiwanese pregnant woman had DBP levels up to five times higher and DEHP levels up to 13 times higher than women in the US.
hot food
One of the reasons Taiwanese women had such high levels might be the popular practice of putting hot food in plastic bags, Lee told the Taipei Times by telephone.
He also advised pregnant women to use unscented cosmetics as phtalates are commonly used in scented cosmetics to help them retain their scent.
Lin Chieh-liang (
"Avoid holding hot food in plastic bags and containers," Lin said. "And make sure not to put containers that are not microwave safe in the microwave."
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