Hormone-disrupting chemicals in homes linked to rise in illness

Exposure to food and everyday electronic, cosmetic, and plastic products containing hormone-disrupting chemicals has been linked to a rise in serious illnesses and is costing Ireland €5.8bn a year.

A study has found that a change in European chemicals policy could massively reduce costs associated with cases of hormone-related conditions.

It linked endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to a range of cancers, obesity, thyroid problems, genetic effects in children, lowered IQ, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The World Health Organisation has been ringing alarm bells and sees EDCs as a global threat.

The EU has committed to minimising exposure to them and finding suitable alternatives by 2020.

However, progress has been so slow that Sweden is taking the European Commission to Court, and France demanded immediate action at a meeting of environment ministers last week.

A new study says that changing Europe’s chemicals policy could reduce exposure to these chemicals and massively cut the cost to health services.

The study, by Alistair Hunt of the University of Bath and Julia Ferguson at Britain’s Cranfield School of Management, claims that the cancers, abnormalities, obesity, diabetes, and child disorders cost the EU €636bn a year.

A recent US study said 1.8% of childhood obesity was due to just one of these chemicals, BPA, found in food packaging.

Glenon Jensen, of the Health and Environmental Alliance lobby group in Brussels, that had the research carried out, said: “All EU countries are experiencing strong rises in prostate cancer while eastern and southern countries are witnessing a dramatic rise in breast cancer. Prevalence of autism and ADHD is now alarmingly high and experts say EDCs are reducing IQ which prevents children reaching their full potential.”

ANALYSIS: Man-made chemicals are hidden health hazards