North Carolina State University - Latest News Update, Information, Photos & Videos on North Carolina State University at Lokmat Times

Chemicals increasingly used as flame retardants and plasticizers pose a larger risk to children's brain development than previously thought, according to a new research.The findings of the study were published in the journal 'Environmental Health Perspectives'.The research team reviewed dozens of human, animal, and cell-based studies and concluded that exposure to even low levels of the chemicals--called organophosphate esters--may harm IQ, attention, and memory in children in ways not yet looked at by regulators.The neurotoxicity of organophosphate esters used as nerve agents and pesticides is widely recognized, but the neurotoxicity of those used as flame retardants and plasticizers has been assumed to be low.As a result, they are widely used as replacements for some phased-out or banned halogenated flame retardants in electronics, car seats and other baby products, furniture, and building materials. However, the authors' analysis revealed that these chemicals are also neurotoxic, but through different mechanisms of action."The use of organophosphate esters in everything from TVs to car seats has proliferated under the false assumption that they're safe," said Heather Patisaul, lead author and neuroendocrinologist at North Carolina State University. "Unfortunately, these chemicals appear to be just as harmful as the chemicals they're intended to replace but act by a different mechanism."Organophosphate esters continuously migrate out of products into air and dust. Contaminated dust gets on our hands and is then inadvertently ingested when we eat. That's why these chemicals have been detected in virtually everyone tested. Children are particularly exposed from hand-to-mouth behaviour.Babies and young children consequently have much higher concentrations of these chemicals in their bodies during the most vulnerable windows of brain development."Organophosphate esters threaten the brain development of a whole generation," said co-author and retired NIEHS Director Linda Birnbaum. "If we don't stem their use now, the consequences will be grave and irreversible."The authors call for a stop to unnecessary uses of all organophosphate esters. This includes their use as flame retardants to meet ineffective flammability standards in consumer products, vehicles, and building materials.For uses where organophosphate esters are deemed essential, the authors recommend governments and industry conduct alternatives assessments and make investments in innovative solutions without harmful chemicals."Organophosphate esters in many products serve no essential function while posing a serious risk, especially to our children," said Carol Kwiatkowski, co-author and Science and Policy Senior Associate at the Green Science Policy Institute."It's urgent that product manufacturers critically reevaluate the uses of organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers--many may be doing more harm than good," added Kwiatkowski.( With inputs from ANI )Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

North Carolina State UniversityFOLLOW

North carolina state university, Latest News

A new study finds the microbial ecosystem in the guts of wild marten (Martes americana) that live in relatively ... ...

A recent research on alligators in the Cape Fear River discovered higher amounts of 14 distinct perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds in their blood serum, as well as clinical and genetic signs of immune system impacts. The study added to the body of data ...

A recent study from North Carolina State University investigates the relationship between dementia and hearing loss in old dogs. The research might help with both treating older dogs and figuring out the relationship between sensory loss and cognitiv ...

A recent study examined parents in Russia and the United States, as well as children's literature in both countries, highlighting how cultural differences in socializing emotions begin before children even start attending school. ...

The findings of a recent study suggest that eating human food has a pronounced effect on the microbiome of black bears. ...

Researchers have found that teaching children to understand other people's perspectives could make it easier for them to learn how to forgive others. ...

According to the findings of new research, chemicals increasingly used as flame retardants and plasticizers pose a larger risk to children's brain development than previously thought. ...

Chemicals increasingly used as flame retardants and plasticizers pose a larger risk to children's brain development than previously thought, according to a new research. ...