According to researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), there is a connection between an increased risk of diabetes in women and increased concentrations of phthalates in the body.
Personal care products such as nail polishes, moisturizers, soaps, perfumes, and hair sprays contain endocrine disrupting chemicals called phthalates. These chemicals can also be used in electronics, adhesives, and numerous other products. Their study was published July 13, 2012, and can be found in the online edition of Environmental Health Perspectives.
Previous research has found that women have higher concentration levels of phthalate metabolites than men because of their extra use of personal care products. However, studies have yet to be done on the connections between phthalate metabolites, diabetes, and diabetes-related risk factors in women.
The team, lead by Tamara James-Todd, Ph.D., a researcher in the Division of Women’s Health at BWH, examined 2,350 women and their urinary concentrations of phthalates.
Results showed that participants with high levels of phthalates in their urine were more likely to have diabetes. The study also found:
The researchers used a representative sample of American women in their cross-sectional study. It was controlled for socio-demographic, behavioral, and dietary factors. Participants self-reported their diabetes and cautioned researchers to not read too much into the study in case reverse causation was possible.
Dr. James-Todd said:
“This is an important first step in exploring the connection between phthalates and diabetes. We know that in addition to being present in personal care products, phthalates also exist in certain types of medical devices and medication that is used to treat diabetes and this could also explain the higher level of phthalates in diabetic women. So overall, more research is needed.”
Written by Sarah Glynn