Exposure to endocrine disruptors would result in a health cost of 340 billion dollars per year in the United States, according to a study.
Dear endocrine disruptors… In the United States, researchers have just quantified the cost of exposure to these chemical agents which generate hormonal dysfunctions, and which are found almost everywhere – in receipts (but more in France!), cosmetics, toys, detergents, pesticides, plastic bottles, cans… The amount of the bill is dizzying.
The direct and indirect health cost of exposure to products containing endocrine disruptors could amount to more than 340 billion dollars per year, (310 billion euros), or 2.33% of American GDP, according to an evaluation published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
Cancers, obesity, autism…
Endocrine disruptors play a role in more than fifteen diseases, including breast and prostate cancers, infertility, birth defects, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurobehavioral dysfunctions as well as learning problems.
This mathematical calculation carried out by a team of researchers from the Langone Medical Center in New York greatly exceeds the estimated costs in Europe. A previous study estimated this cost at 217 billion dollars (197 billion euros), or 1.28% of the GDP of the European Union.
The difference is explained, according to them, by different regulations with regard in particular to PBDEs, flame retardant substances also called “flame retardants” and used in particular in furniture or packaging.
Much less regulated than in Europe, PBDEs are thought to be the cause of two-thirds of the health costs linked to endocrine disruptors in the United States, or around 200 billion dollars. In Europe, on the contrary, the costs associated with PBDEs would be around 100 billion dollars per year, according to the study published in 2015.
11 million IQ points lost
According to the researchers, in the United States, exposure to PBDEs led to a loss of 11 million points of intelligence quotient (IQ), and generated 43,000 cases of intellectual retardation, while pesticides resulted in the loss of 1 .8 million IQ points and 7,500 cases of intellectual retardation.
According to Teresa Attina, one of the study’s authors, each lost IQ point corresponds to a reduction of approximately 2% in productivity, or a loss of income of $20,000, “which makes it possible to estimate the economic cost to society.
The researchers note that their estimates are likely understated and that even if action is taken quickly, exposure to PBDEs is only expected to decline very gradually, given its widespread use in current furniture.
245,000 cases of diabetes
By measuring the impact of all endocrine disruptors, including phthalates and bisphenol A, the researchers also arrived at 245,000 cases of diabetes and 240,000 cases of male infertility, 10,000 premature deaths from diseases cardiovascular diseases, 1500 cases of autism and 4400 cases of ADHD (attention deficit disorder) in the United States.
Until regulations change, the authors recommend a few “simple” measures: no longer reheat food placed in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap in the microwave and wash these used containers by hand rather than in the dishwasher.
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