Plastics Linked to Obesity
Posted March 22, 2012
Man-made chemicals present in homes, schools, offices, cars and
food are probably contributing to the sharp rise in obesity and
diabetes in western societies, according to a review of scientific
literature published today.
Until now lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and poor
diet were thought to be the main causes of the increase in both
conditions.
Now the review of 240 scientific papers by two leading experts,
Professor Miquel Porta of Spain and Professor Duk-Hee Lee of South
Korea, suggests chemicals in plastics and other surfaces play an
important and avoidable role.
Many are endocrine disruptors, which can change human hormones,
including the stimulation of appetite and fat storage and regulation
of sugar.
CHEM Trust (Chemicals Health & Environment Monitoring Trust), the
British pressure group which commissioned the research, urged the UK
Government and the EU to press industry to find safer alternatives.
© 2012 The Independent - London. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
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