News
Our most read updates of 2024 about environmental toxins and health impacts
2024 has seen major steps forward in our understanding of the impacts of exposure to environmental toxins detected in body fluids and cells, and their subsequent impacts of human health. In our final post this year, here are some of our most read news updates of 2024 about the links between exposure to environmental toxins, and what’s known about their effects on human health.
Glyphosate and male fertility
This year researchers detected glyphosate in 56% of seminal fluid samples collected in a French infertility clinic. They went on to establish a positive correlation between high levels of glyphosate detected in seminal plasma and raised oxidative stress. The correlation between glyphosate and oxidative stress suggests a link between exposure to glyphosate and male reproductive health. Oxidative stress plays a key role in sperm mobility and function. Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used herbicide, with exposure already associated with higher cancer risk and other illnesses.
Men can pass on effects of pollutant exposure to future generations
In the first major study of its kind, researchers at the University of Stockholm shone light on the effects of parental exposure to pollutants in later generations. They made the link between exposure to environmental pollutants and subsequent adverse health effects in their offspring and future generations for the first time. In this longitudinal study, researchers linked exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals as far back as grandfathers, suggesting that exposure might influence reproductive sperm health of later generations long after the exposure.
Pesticide residues detected in children’s hair
Almost one third of children’s hair samples tested by French researchers was discovered to have detectable levels of biomarkers of chemicals with potentially toxic effects commonly found in the environment. 10% of all the hair samples tested detected all of the markers screened. The tests carried out to detect biomarkers for 32 groups of environmental pollutants revealed that the most detectable were biomarkers for bisphenols and pesticides. Many of these substances are identified as endocrine disruptors with potential adverse effects on childhood development and health.
Microplastic effects on health
A study led by researchers at Hull York Medical School analysed the effects of microplastics on human cells. Samples of drinking water and seafood were tested for microplastic contamination to further understand the effects of microplastics on human cells in a laboratory setting. Researchers found that when human cells were exposed to high levels of microplastic contamination, there were toxicological effects such as cell death and allergic reactions. Microplastics detected in human placentas have previously been correlated with alterations of some cellular structures in placental tissue, mainly in the syncytiotrophoblast which is the main transport system for nutrients and metabolic activity in the placenta.
Microplastics found in the brain
Microplastic particles can reach the olfactory bulb area of the brain – that was the startling finding of research published in September. Researchers at Sao Paolo university discovered that microplastics were present in olfactory bulb tissue of more than half of deceased people’s brains tested, providing evidence that not only do we breathe in microplastics, but they can reach the olfactory bulb in the brain.
Microplastics have previously been detected in urine and blood samples. Microplastics detected in key blood vessels in people monitored during a three year study were found to be more likely to suffer stroke, heart attack or death.
And finally….
We wouldn’t leave you without sharing some ideas about how to reduce your exposure to some of the substances mentioned here. Whilst it can be quite challenging to avoid exposure to everyday chemicals and toxins entirely, our ‘Five easy wins to avoid everyday chemicals’ post has suggestions for simple lifestyle changes that can go a long way towards reducing the body’s burden of everyday substances, and help to protect your lasting health.
In 2025 we are working towards the launch of a new home based test service to detect metabolite markers for the presence of everyday environmental toxins in urine samples. If you would like to know more about this new service, please join our mailing below.
We’d like to wish you a happy Christmas and healthy New Year.
