Risk of cancer from BBP

The United States warns of a new chemical found in many plastic household products leading to mammary gland development and genetic modification. This condition can lead to breast cancer later.

Recently, a study published online in BMC Genomics added to the list of toxic substances called Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) - this substance is usually put into plastic to make plastic softer.

Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) is often used to soften polymeric or plastic resins . It is found in all flexible plastic pipes, plastic floor mats, lipstick tube bottoms . (according to some other documents, it is also used as a binder in plastic goods production).

BBP is everywhere in the environment, especially in plastic floor mats.Artwork (Photo: Bobvila.com)

This type of chemical is considered to cause endocrine disruption, mimicking the effects of hormones. They cause serious reproductive problems in animals as well as neurological problems, infertility in humans (including cases that make men have low sperm rates).

According to Professor Jose Russo, lead researcher - breast cancer specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center - Philadelphia, USA: 'This study has demonstrated for the first time that women right after birth exposure to this compound (BBP) will experience many changes in gene expression in the mammary gland. '

GS. J. Russo also added that exposure to BBP may increase the risk of breast cancer for women later . Meanwhile, in order to avoid the risk of breast cancer in adulthood, both infants and mothers must be protected from this agent.

That's the result based on a study on newborn babies born in the laboratory. They injected BBP into female mice, and the results showed that the pups were infected with this compound from breast milk. The researchers said: 'Although limiting exposure to BBP may make that effect less, changes made by the chemical may still leave a negative effect on the stage. development later. '

BBP and other phthalate compounds are present in almost every environment and the ability of people to be exposed is very high.Indoor air can be contaminated by excessive use of BBP through carpeting and wood gluing.It can cause a significant reduction in testicular size and cause a decrease in daily sperm count from 10 to 21%.In some types of butter, there is a metal coating, especially BBP accounts for 47.8mg / kg.

The amount of BBP that pups carry within them matches the permissible safety levels on humans - this standard is issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency. BBP has a strong impact on the lives of female mice, such as the faster mammary gland and the genetic change.

According to Prof. Russo, experts are also studying the effects of women 's prenatal BBP exposure.

Earlier, in March 2007, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives suggested that phthalates could stimulate obesity.

Meanwhile, GS. Jonathan Borak, a clinical specialist at the School of Public Health, Yale University in the US, says there is no evidence that BBP increases the risk of breast cancer. According to him, current studies have not elucidated the correlation between BBP and breast cancer.

In November 2007, the state of California banned laws and toys for children containing BBP.

Bui Thanh - H. Cat
According to Softpedia, National Institute of Health - NIH, Mindfully.org, Vietnamnet