Interviewed experts: Professor of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Professor Ding Xuejia
Global Times Health Client Reporter Wang Bingjie
Uterine fibroids are one of the most common tumors in women of childbearing age. Patients may experience irregular bleeding, anemia , miscarriage and other problems. This is a hormone-dependent tumor, which is related to the formation of uterine smooth muscle tissue hyperplasia. Estrogen and progesterone can stimulate its growth, but most are benign tumors. A study on epidemiological and mechanisms published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States recently showed that a metabolite of an artificially synthesized chemical substance, phthalate, is a risk factor for promoting the growth of uterine fibroids.
Professor Ding Xuejia from the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Beijing University of Chemical Technology told the Global Times Health Client reporter that phthalate is a chemical known to interfere with endocrine, and you may be more familiar with its other name: plasticizer ( plasticizer ). This chemical called "ubiquitous" is widely used in thousands of products, such as soaps, manicures, perfumes, shampoos and hairsprays, shoes, shower curtains, car interiors, lunch boxes, and medical products, to increase the functionality and comfort of these products. It can be said that humans will be affected by phthalate throughout their life. Generally, air inhalation, dietary intake, dust inhalation, skin absorption, etc. are the main intake paths. After they are metabolized in the body, they are finally excreted from the body by urine.
In the above study, the concentration of phthalate and its metabolites (9 kinds) in the urine of adult women was determined as biomarker . The analysis results found that phthalate and its metabolites were positively correlated with the incidence of uterine fibroids, with the urine concentration of metabolites increased by 10%, and the risk of uterine fibroids increased by 6%. When women are exposed to phthalate, an environmentally responsive receptor (AHR) may be activated, which in turn increases the risk of uterine fibroids, according to study author Dr. Zeldal Bren, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
Experts say that in life, phthalate is widely distributed and cannot be completely eliminated from life, but we can minimize contact. There are 6 commonly used phthalate in daily necessities, and their abbreviations and commonly used fields are shown in the table below:
Application scope of commonly used phthalate
To minimize contact with phthalate, Professor Ding Xuejia said that you can start from the following aspects:
Recognize the material. The triangle logo containing numbers on the bottom of the plastic product represents different plastic materials. Among them, compared with No. 1, 2, 4 and 5, "No. 3" has the largest content of plasticizer; if used in infants and young children, it is best to choose "No. 5". In addition, avoid using PVC floors and shower curtains. The floor can be selected for wood, ceramic tiles, concrete or natural linoleum, and the shower curtains are cloth or linen; do not choose plastic toys, and instead play with wooden toys.
Select fragrance-free body care products. shampoo, perfume, hair spray, cosmetics and other daily necessities. Phthalate is often used as " fragrance fixing agent ". Therefore, it is best not to choose products with long-lasting and strong fragrance, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But it should be noted that this does not mean that you must buy "scentless" products. They may instead use phthalates to offset the obvious odor. You can choose essential oils or products without fragrances.
Avoid plastics contact with oily and fatty foods. Because plasticizers are easily soluble in oils and alcohol, they can seep out of plastics and then enter the human body through food. The higher the temperature and longer the time, the more migrations. Therefore, avoid using plastic products to hold hotter food or water for a long time, and do not put food in plastic bags to heat it. Brun recommends that it is best to stay away from plastic bottles or food packaging, and use glass and stainless steel containers instead, and do not use polyvinyl chloride products.
At present, there is no clear prevention method for uterine fibroids. Dr. Nathaniel Denikola, an environmental health expert at the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology, suggested that women of childbearing age should undergo regular gynecological ultrasound, CT or nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI) examinations to help detect uterine fibroids. Patients with obesity, menstrual disorders, reproductive system inflammation ( vaginitis , pelvic inflammatory disease , cervicitis , endometrial polyps , etc.) are people at risk of uterine fibroids. If they experience abnormal menstrual periods, lower abdominal mass, lower abdominal pain, infertility, miscarriage, abnormal delivery, postpartum bleeding, or frequent urination of , difficulty in urination of , , , , etc., they need to seek medical attention in time. At present, most fibroids can be left untreated, but follow-up observation is required.
Professor Ding Xuejia said that materials that can replace phthalate have been successfully developed. For example, the non-toxic and environmentally friendly plasticizer synthesized in the National 12th Five-Year Plan project "Biomedical Materials of New Plasticizers", which solves the problem of migration of phthalate in disposable polyvinyl chloride medical products, food packaging and children's toys. I believe that in the future, the "zero application" of phthalate will be gradually realized. ▲
