Researchers have discovered that many chemicals used in everyday life and household work cause damage to the brain potentially linked to neurological diseases.
- Hair products, electronic devices, disinfectants… Many everyday household chemicals represent a threat to the health of our brain: the more we are exposed to them, the higher the probability of neurological disorders.
- Certain chemical compounds specifically affect the brain’s oligodendrocytes, a type of cell essential for the function and protection of nerve cells, the loss of which “underlies multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases.”
- Among the most dangerous chemicals for the brain: organophosphate flame retardants, found in electronic devices, furniture and textiles, and quaternary ammoniums, present in many household or care products such as disinfectants. , fabric softeners or shampoos.
Hair products, electronic devices, disinfectants… Many everyday household chemicals represent a threat to the health of our brain: the more we are exposed to them, the higher the probability of neurological disorders.
This is the worrying conclusion of a new study carried out by a team from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, in Cleveland, Ohio (United States), and published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Household chemicals: risky exposure for the brain
To arrive at this finding, researchers analyzed more than 1,800 household chemicals to which humans are frequently exposed, and examined their impact on the developing mouse brain. They discovered that certain chemical compounds specifically affect brain oligodendrocytes, a type of cell essential for the function and protection of nerve cells.
“Loss of oligodendrocytes underlies multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases,” such as autism spectrum disorders, underline the researchers in a communicated. In this sense, exposure to these chemicals represents a risk factor “not previously recognized”.
Oligodendrocyte cells affected by certain chemical compounds
The team of scientists found that oligodendrocytes – “but not other brain cells” – are particularly vulnerable to two classes of chemicals: organophosphate flame retardants (RFOPs), which are found in electronic devices, construction materials, furniture and textiles, and quaternary ammoniums, which make up many household or care products such as disinfectants, softeners or shampoos. In detail, it appears that “RFOPs prevent the maturation of oligodendrocytes, while quaternary ammoniums simply cause the death of these cells”.
If further research is “required” To fully understand the impact of these daily chemicals on human health, this study can “help explain a missing link in how certain neurological diseases arise or worsen”conclude the authors.
