China – A team of scientists in China found that the chemicals used to resist fire in your smartphone may put you at risk of cancer.
Since the 1970s, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used for their ability to slow the spread of fire, which might help save thousands of lives.
Now, a study that tracked 1,100 American adults for two decades has found that those with the highest levels of the chemicals in their blood were four times more likely to die from cancer than people exposed to the lowest levels of PBDEs.
During the study period, 199 participants died, or 18% of participants.
Scientists warned that PBDEs might break off from the elements and form dust. It can enter human bodies through inhalation or as contaminants in foods, disrupting hormones, damaging genes, and increasing the risk of cancer.
“As hormone-disrupting chemicals, PBDEs and their metabolites can bind to hormone receptors (i.e., estrogen receptors) and thus disrupt hormonal balance,” the scientists wrote in their paper. “This plays a role in the development of endocrine tumors such as thyroid cancer.”
The team said their study is the first to examine the relationship between exposure to PBDEs and the risk of death from specific causes, including cancer.
It is noteworthy that a study conducted in 2017, which tested 64 mobile phones and computers, found that 60% of them contained PBDEs on their surfaces. Apple says it no longer uses this chemical in its smartphones.
The chemical is also found in other items, including sofas, chairs, car seats and children’s toys.
Many countries, including the European Union, have banned or significantly limited the use of these chemicals.
Source: Daily Mail
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2024-04-02 11:53:35
