Exposure to common hormone-disrupting toxins in pregnancy and early childhood has been linked to the increased incidence of brain development disorders reported in the last decade. Recent data expands upon the link between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and maternal thyroid hormone signalling during early pregnancy, and how it impacts offspring IQ and influences possible neurodevelopmental disease risks.
Researchers reviewed documented exposures to EDCs, which include pesticides and substances used in the manufacturing of many everyday products. These EDCs are reported to interfere with thyroid hormone (TH) function, yet public health policy does not completely tackle the risks to vulnerable population groups.
Two key phenols known to be thyroid-disrupting chemicals are bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS). Both BPA and TCS are manufactured in such large volumes that they are now readily found in human urine samples due to contamination of our environment and the food we consume. While research has shown thyroid hormone dysregulation as a result of BPA exposure in adults, heightened prenatal BPA exposure is associated in numerous sex-specific changes in child behaviour. For example, a positive association was found connecting BPA levels with ADHD-like neurodevelopmental behaviours in girls and boys, and anxious, depressive or aggressive behaviours in girls.
Popular flame retardants, such as Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) are also EDCs in the form of a modified, halogenated BPA that has been recognised in vitro as a neurotoxicant that interrupts several biological pathways including Zinc and Calcium homeostasis, stimulating oxidative stress as well as being a partial Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) agonist.
Phthalates are common, volatile EDCs and are mainly used as plasticisers and softeners in various commercial products such as furniture, cosmetics, food packaging, and medical equipment such as catheters and perfusion bags/drips. A strong and positive association connects child urinary concentrations of metabolites from phthalates, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and symptoms of ADHD.
Our society is exposed to many chemicals at any given time, making it increasingly important to investigate the effect of EDCs as a whole, since synergistic impacts of chemical mixtures without individual effects have been reported. These findings show that contact with thyroid-disrupting chemicals in the environment pose real risks for child development and health, emphasising the urgent need for further public health investigation and intervention strategy.
Source: bio concepts.com.au May 2018
Image source: pixabay.com
