Researchers found children in New York's East Harlem are three times more likely than other children in the US to be overweight, and they said that high levels of the packaging chemicals found in the children's urine may play a role in obesity by disrupting hormones that regulate growth and development.
The full article could be read at:
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Packaging/Studies-link-packaging-chemical-to-childhood-obesity
This article is very interesting. The chemical being studied in the urine of the kids is called Phthalates, which is an ester because its functional group ROOR. They are also called Phthalic acids. This organic compound is used in plastics to make them more durable,flexible,transparent, and increase their longevity. Since there no bonding between the plastic mixture and the phthalates they are easily released into environment, therefore they can easily entry the body. Also, their air concentrations are higher in urban areas than rural areas.High temperatures increases their chances of being released, therefore when we microwave foods in plastics phthalates are being released into our foods.Whic makes sense with the article, because we tend to microwave a lot in urban areas. They are also found in medications because they are used to maintain the viscosity of the pill coating, and also is cosmetics. Phthalates have been associated with children that have allergies and asthma. And now...possibly overweight children.
ReplyDeleteWow. This is very informative. The green markets group are making a pamphlet about obesity and what is does. And like SB1214 stated it makes sense that the kids who are eating from bodegas would be exposed to the phthalic acids, since most of the snack food are packaged in plastic.
ReplyDeleteSo now this means the children in Harlem are getting hit with all these substances(i.e.- the sugars & phthalates) that are harmful to them.
Great link Tahera, and thanks Sindy for digging deeper into understanding the phthalates. So recently, Phthalates have mobilized environmentalists to question the plastic industry and its use. I think soon we will find an alternative to replace phthalates in plastics. And they also have a huge role in damaging proper intellectual development for kids who were exposed to this chemical during infant-hood or even as a fetus. Thats why lately, there has been an increased demand for glass bottles for babies and glass containers for food storage.
ReplyDeleteIn short, knowing these harmful impacts from packaged food, consumers can increase their consumption of fresh produce, thus increasing the demand for the healthy foods, and that will eventually trigger the supply side..... and we will see more fresh foods than canned and packaged foods:)