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Plasticizers impair normal brain function in vertebrates, study finds

Plasticizers Impair Normal Brain Function in Vertebrates, Study Finds

Introduction

Plasticizers are chemicals that are added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable. They are found in a wide range of products, including food packaging, toys, and medical devices.

A recent study has found that plasticizers can impair normal brain function in vertebrates. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and was published in the journal “Environmental Health Perspectives.”

Study Findings

The researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to different concentrations of plasticizers. They found that exposure to even low levels of plasticizers impaired the embryos' ability to learn and remember.

The researchers also found that plasticizers caused changes in the embryos' brains. These changes included a decrease in the number of neurons and a decrease in the size of the hippocampus, a brain region that is involved in learning and memory.

Implications of the Study

The findings of this study are concerning because they suggest that plasticizers may be harmful to the developing brain. Plasticizers are found in a wide range of products that children are exposed to, so it is important to understand the potential risks of these chemicals.

More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of plasticizer exposure on the brain. However, the findings of this study suggest that it is important to limit exposure to these chemicals, especially in children.

Conclusion

Plasticizers are chemicals that are added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable. They are found in a wide range of products, including food packaging, toys, and medical devices.

A recent study has found that plasticizers can impair normal brain function in vertebrates. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and was published in the journal “Environmental Health Perspectives.”

The findings of this study are concerning because they suggest that plasticizers may be harmful to the developing brain. More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of plasticizer exposure on the brain, but it is important to limit exposure to these chemicals, especially in children.