Household Hold Dust Chemicals Can Make You FAT!
The Duke University Researchers say that endocrine-disrupting chemicals present in household dust promote the maturation of fat cells in a cell model and might contribute to greater growth in children relative to their age.
Lead scientist Christopher Kassotis, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research associate in the university’s Nicholas School of the Environment stated that- This is some of the first research exploring links between exposure to chemical mixtures present in the indoor environment and metabolic health of children living in those homes.
According to Previous studies, it has been demonstrated that chemical exposures can promote the accumulation of triglycerides and increased obesity in animal models. Many observational studies have found a link between exposure to endocrine-disrupting according to Kassotis, chemicals believed to contribute to obesity and increased weight in people.
They gathered 194 house dust samples from households in central North Carolina. Then they extracted the chemicals from the dust from the lab. In order to promote fat cell development in a cell model, these extracts were tested for their ability They found that low concentrations of dust extracts could promote precursor fat cell proliferation and fat cell growth. From the studies done
by EPA, it is noticed that children are estimated to consume between 60 and 100 mg of dust each day.Kassotis also stated that- they found that two-thirds of dust extracts could promote fat cell development and half encourage precursor fat cell proliferation at 100 micrograms or approximately 1,000 times lower amounts than what children consume on a daily basis.
The researchers then measured over 100 distinct substances in the dust and looked at the relationship between their concentrations and the extent of fat cell development. It was found that 70 of the chemicals had a significant positive relationship with the progression of dust-induced fat cells, and approximately 40 Chemicals were linked with precursor fat cell growth.
Kassotis stated further that this suggests that mixtures of compounds occurring in the indoor environment may be driving these consequences. Several substances have been found by the researchers which were significantly elevated from the dust of homes of children who were overweight or obese.
They are continuing to study these compounds, some of which are found in common household items such as laundry detergents, household cleaners, paints, and cosmetics, to determine which ones could possibly be related to obesity.
