Exposure to 'chemical soup' in the womb linked to health problems in kids

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-05-24 01:00

Australia; International

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Exposure to widespread mixtures of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the womb is linked with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome - early warning signs of serious conditions including heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes - in childhood, according to an international study that looked at 1,134 mums and their children from six European countries. EDCs interfere with our hormones or mimic them, and are components of many different household products, including pesticides, cleaners and plastics, so we're all exposed to them daily. Even some that are now banned persist in the environment and are known as 'forever chemicals' because they never break down. The researchers measured levels of these chemicals in the mums' urine, and then assessed the health of their children when they were aged between six and 11. Although this type of study can't prove cause and effect, the researchers say our increasing exposure to EDCs may go some way towards explaining increases in obesity and other metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.