Study Finds Beauty Products and Toys Cause Diabetes

An interesting study released in the past few days is raising awareness about a scary health problem affecting women. A chemical, found in many personal care products, is now linked to an increased risk for diabetes in women.

According to the study, products including hair spray, soap, nail polish, perfumes, and moisturizers, contain a chemical called phthalates. And, unfortunately, tt is not only in these products that we find phthalates. Many other consumer products including toys, cleaners, adhesives, electronic items, and even medication coatings contain phthalates.

The study, led by Tamara James-Todd of the women's health division at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, shows that women who tested higher for levels of mono-benzyl phthalate and mono-isobutyl phthalate were at two times greater risk of developing diabetes as opposed to women with low levels of the particular phthalates.

In addition to the above findings, this study was also able to find that women with higher levels (in comparison to the average) of a third kind of phthalate, mono-(3-carboxypropyl), had a 60% increased risk of diabetes. Two other kinds of phthalates were also examined and showed that women who had moderately high levels of the 2 phthalates, mono-n-butyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl, had an increased risk of 70%.

Out of the two genders, women spend the most on beauty products and utilize them regularly. The more they come in contact with such products, the higher their levels of phthalates will be and thus their risk of diabetes increases. These phthalates are included in many products including soap and toys, and while women have confirmation now on chemical factors increasing their risk, it will be interesting to show what affect these phthalates have on the risk of men and children.

  Sources: Medical Daily http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120713/10829/diabetes-women-phthalates.htm CBS News http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57473149-10391704/phthalate-chemicals-in-nail-polish-hair-sprays-tied-to-raised-diabetes-risk-in-women/ US News/Health Day http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/07/13/study-ties-chemicals-in-beauty-products-to-womens-diabetes-risk