A scientific inquest has shed new light on the dangers some common household chemicals pose to brain health.
The research suggests substances found in a wide range of items, from furniture to hair products, are linked to the increasing prevalence of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and autism spectrum disorders, Knewz.com has learned.
A team of researchers from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, discovered that certain chemicals specifically impact the brain’s oligodendrocytes, a specialized cell type that creates the protective insulation around nerve cells.
They discussed their findings in a study published by the journal Nature Neuroscience on Monday, March 25.
“Loss of oligodendrocytes underlies multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases,” Paul Tesar, an author of the study, said in a statement. “We now show that specific chemicals in consumer products can directly harm oligodendrocytes, representing a previously unrecognized risk factor for neurological disease.”
Neurological ailments afflict millions of people globally, with only a small portion of cases attributable solely to genetics. This indicates that factors in the environment play a significant role in these diseases, according to the study authors.
Driven by the notion that there hasn’t been enough exploration into the effects of chemicals on brain health, the researchers examined 1,823 chemicals to which humans may be exposed. More than 80% of these chemicals had no effect on oligodendrocyte development, but 292 of them killed oligodendrocytes, and 47 prevented these cells from maturing.
They pinpointed two classes of chemicals as culprits that selectively harmed oligodendrocytes: quaternary ammonium compounds and organophosphate flame retardants. Quaternary ammonium compounds are found in many personal care and disinfectant products, which have seen increased usage since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Organophosphate flame retardants are common in electronics and furniture.
“Understanding human exposure to these chemicals may help explain a missing link in how some neurological diseases arise,” Erin Cohn, lead author of the study, said.
The researchers also found a link between one particular chemical and abnormal brain development in children across the country. The study assessed the levels of organophosphates that children between the ages of 3 and 11 were exposed to, and homed in on one called “bis (1,3-dichloro-2-propy) phosphate.” They found that children with the highest amount of this metabolite in their systems were two to six times more likely to have special educational needs or motor dysfunction than those with the lowest amounts.
“Our findings suggest that more comprehensive scrutiny of the impacts of these common household chemicals on brain health is necessary,” Tesar said. “We hope our work will contribute to informed decisions regarding regulatory measures or behavioral interventions to minimize chemical exposure and protect human health.”
Dr. Souvarish Sarkar, Ph.D., assistant professor of environmental medicine and neuroscience at the University of Rochester Medical Center, told Medical News Today that people may come into contact with both classes of chemicals identified in the study daily.
“The general rule is to reduce the consumption of these products at the household level,” he told the outlet. “Specifically, pregnant women, children, and individuals with chronic diseases need protection from these chemicals. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the use of some of these chemicals has increased exponentially (e.g. disinfectants) and people should be mindful and use alternate practices (e.g. handwashing).”
Other studies have posited that alternative disinfectants — like caprylic acid, citric acid and lactic acid — and other active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol should be used when possible to avoid excessive exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds.
The post These Common Household Chemicals Are Linked to Brain Disorders in New Study: Here’s Why appeared first on Knewz.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Marissa Papanek
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://knewz.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.