Hairspray Exposure and Its Link to Increased Birth Defect Risk in Boys
Key Takeaways:
- Mother’s exposed to certain hairspray chemicals, such as phthalates found in common cosmetics, may have a higher risk of giving birth to sons with a urinary abnormality known as hypospadias.
- The at-risk occupations include hairdressing, beauty therapy, research chemistry, line operation, and pharmaceutical operation, where contact with phthalates is more prevalent.
- Taking folate supplements during the first trimester of pregnancy could potentially reduce the risk of hypospadias by 36%.
- Contrary to other research, this study found no correlation between a mother’s vegetarian or vegan diet and the likelihood of her offspring developing hypospadias.
- The research findings have been published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
A recent study suggests that working mothers exposed to specific hairspray chemicals may face a heightened chance of giving birth to sons with a particular urinary abnormality.
Chemicals in Common Cosmetics
Common cosmetics such as deodorants, perfumes, and nail care and hair care products often contain chemicals referred to as phthalates, including diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The study uncovered that sons born to mothers in certain occupations, like hairdressing, beauty therapy, research chemistry, line operation, and pharmaceutical operation, where they may be in contact with phthalates, showed two to three times the risk for the abnormality known as hypospadias.
These phthalates and their metabolites, including monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), have been previously associated with other male infant abnormalities, including hypospadias.
Folate Intake in Pregnancy
The study, carried out by research teams from the Imperial College in London, has discovered that mothers who consumed folate supplements during the first trimester of their pregnancy could potentially reduce the risk of having a son with hypospadias by 36 percent.
Interestingly, this study contradicted previous research by finding no correlation between a mother’s vegetarian or vegan diet and the likelihood of her offspring developing hypospadias.
Publication and Further Information
The research findings were recently accepted for publication in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
For more details, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides further information about birth defects.
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