Will your kitchen floor make your boy more feminine?
Filed under: Baby public health — Alan @ 5:00 am
A new study by US researchers suggests that chemicals found in plastics may affect the brains of baby boys causing them to act ‘more feminine.’
A research team at University of Rochester showcased a variety of concerns about the use of phthalates which are found in PVC shower curtains and vinyl flooring.
The results of their study found that males that were around these substances in excess while in the womb were less likely to engage in ‘normal boy behaviour’ as children such as playing cars or play fighting with other boys.
Phthalates have already been banned in the EU from toys due to their ability to alter hormones, but they are still found in many common household items such as packaging and plastic furniture.
Some of the different kinds of phthalates cause hormones in the brain to act like oestrogen, which is a female hormone. This can also cause some boys to be born with genital abnormalities.
The new study adds the danger that during conception the phthalates may cause testosterone in the male brain to be silenced, or even knocked out completely.
The study was conducted using urine samples from mothers who were past the middle point of pregnancy, to determine if there were traces of phthalates in their bloodstream.
The children of the woman were then followed up on once they reached age’s four to seven and the mothers were asked about their behaviour such as their favourite toys and games.
The results of the study showed that the DEHP and DBP phthalates can alter the behaviour of boy babies.
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