Summary:
Chapter 5 discusses the fourth factor, endocrine disrupters, and begins with a story of fish in the Potomac River switching sex roles. The weird thing was, only the males were switching. Studies showed that endocrine disrupters specifically found in plastics and other industrial materials, were causing these weird hormonal imbalances in the fish. A multi resource study was conducted that helped lead to a breakthrough not in fish, but humans. There is large talks and studies of how certain materials and chemicals that boys and girls are exposed to everyday and how they are affected by them. According to Sax, “Synthetic industrial chemicals that mimic the action of male hormones are rare, but the next effect appears to be a slowing and/or warping of boys’ sexual development.” These chemicals are mostly coming from PET, or polyethylene terphthalate. This is a chemical that is in plastic bottles or bowls. These chemicals are boosting girls’ puberty, but delaying boys. Sax states that, “There's growing evidence that exposure to synthetic chemicals may disrupt or slow puberty in boys-and only in boys” (104). These chemicals are found in bottled water, pacifiers, and baby bottles.
So what is being affected by PET? Testosterone. “In boys, testosterone fuels more than just sexual interest: it fuels the drive to achieve, to be the best, to compete. Successful, high-achieving boys have higher testosterone level than boys who are content to come in last" (107). So why does this matter when the boys are being affected they are only babies? Sax explains, “infants, toddlers, and young children don't make sex hormones” (108). So, when PET and other chemicals, that are Endocrine Disruptors, are introduced to their bodies, the delicate balance of chemicals in the body is upset and unpredictable results occur.
Not only are hormones being affected, but also weight. “Teenagers today are four times more likely to be obese and overweight compared with teenager in the 1960s" (108). Why? Endocrine Disruptors coming from environmental estrogens. “These chemicals may directly affect fat cells (adipose cells), or they may disrupt the signals between fat cells and the pituitary and hypothalamus (endocrin feedback loops)” (109). Exposure to these chemicals at a young age increase the risk of the child being overweight substantially.
Another factor that these chemicals affect are bones of boys. “We now know that environmental estrogens (particularly phthalates) appear to cause lower testosterone level in young men. Those lower testosterone level will likely impair bone mineralization” (111). With the widespread use of plastics, especially as a food packaging material, it is difficult to prevent young boys from being exposed to these harmful chemicals and suffering negative consequences.
So what is being affected by PET? Testosterone. “In boys, testosterone fuels more than just sexual interest: it fuels the drive to achieve, to be the best, to compete. Successful, high-achieving boys have higher testosterone level than boys who are content to come in last" (107). So why does this matter when the boys are being affected they are only babies? Sax explains, “infants, toddlers, and young children don't make sex hormones” (108). So, when PET and other chemicals, that are Endocrine Disruptors, are introduced to their bodies, the delicate balance of chemicals in the body is upset and unpredictable results occur.
Not only are hormones being affected, but also weight. “Teenagers today are four times more likely to be obese and overweight compared with teenager in the 1960s" (108). Why? Endocrine Disruptors coming from environmental estrogens. “These chemicals may directly affect fat cells (adipose cells), or they may disrupt the signals between fat cells and the pituitary and hypothalamus (endocrin feedback loops)” (109). Exposure to these chemicals at a young age increase the risk of the child being overweight substantially.
Another factor that these chemicals affect are bones of boys. “We now know that environmental estrogens (particularly phthalates) appear to cause lower testosterone level in young men. Those lower testosterone level will likely impair bone mineralization” (111). With the widespread use of plastics, especially as a food packaging material, it is difficult to prevent young boys from being exposed to these harmful chemicals and suffering negative consequences.
Interesting Quotes:
|
"Synthetic industrial chemicals that mimic the action of male hormones are rare. As a result, the average child today is practically awash in synthetic chemicals that have the effect of accelerating a girl's sexual development." (104)
"The net effect of industrial chemicals appears to be slowing and/or warping of boys' sexual development." (104) "The soaring rates of ADHD among North American boys in the last twenty years have only recently been linked to these chemicals." (106) |
Possible Solutions:
|
|
