Exposure of pregnant women to chemicals like triclosan or parabens could disrupt fetal brain development and hinder the growth of boys during the first years of life, according to a study by American and French researchers.
Parabens, triclosan: substances used in everyday life
It is found in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes or sanitizing gels: triclosan has been widely present in skin care products since the early 1990s. A study showed in 2001 that 76% of soaps sold in the trade contained it. Already suspected of facilitating the development of resistant bacteria1, it is now accused of slowing the growth of the head circumference of the fetus from the second trimester of pregnancy.
Parabens are also present in the vast majority of hygiene and toiletry products such as shampoos, moisturizers, shaving foams or cleansing gels. Also used as preservatives in certain foods, they prevent bacterial and mycotic contamination of products and therefore extend their shelf life. Their use has nevertheless been a problem for a few years: in 2011, the National Assembly even adopted a proposal banning its use in France. A law that ultimately did not come into force. Since then, studies have multiplied and cast doubt on its safety.
A confusing new study
Published in the journal Epidemiology, the study2 coordinated by the University of Grenoble and the Inserm environmental epidemiology team looked at 520 pregnant women who subsequently gave birth to boys, themselves followed up to the age of 3 years. . The study showed that 95% of women were exposed to parabens and triclosan during pregnancy. Parabens have been associated with increased weight in boys after birth, increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood, while triclosan is believed to impact brain development. Conclusions in agreement with certain studies carried out in the laboratory.
Are there any alternatives?
Despite the accumulation of studies demonstrating their possible toxic effect on the body, dermatologists believe that a ban on parabens is not an option. According to them, the substances likely to replace them will be less effective against bacteria and molds, which would be much more harmful to the body. Another solution would be to do without preservatives, but consumers would be forced to place their products in the refrigerator and throw them away after a few days. Other tips are being studied such as reducing the water content, which promotes the proliferation of molds, UHT sterilization (which would not solve the problem of the shelf life of the product, once opened) or the reduction the size of the packaging (the famous expensive and disposable single-dose packaging).
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Sources: 1. Birosová L, Mikulásová M. (2009), Development of triclosan and antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium; J Med Microbiol. April 2009; 58 (Pt 4): 436-41 2. Human fetal exposure to triclosan and triclocarban in an urban population from brooklyn, new york. Pycke BF, Geer LA, Dalloul M, Abulafia O, Jenck AM, Halden UK. |
