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Environmental hormones -- chemicals and pollutants that disrupt biological processes -- are all around us. They turn up everywhere in our surroundings, including in our food, our clothing and our living spaces, making them impossible to avoid. According to a recent study by the Ministry of Environment, environmental hormones are even found in drinking water bottles. The government, however, does not have any specific regulations on the substances, indicating that urgent measures are needed.
¡ß Plastic is the main suspect
The influx of environmental hormones into our bodies happens mostly through our food. Dioxin, nonylphenol, bisphenol A, endosulfan and other environmental hormones are found in seafood, meat and vegetables, and the reason they are there is because of food containers. Plastic has been mentioned as a probable cause for many years. Environmental hormones like diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) are added to plastic to make it soft, and they flow into the food from various containers.
This theory was supported by the results of a study of environmental hormones in bottled water released by the Ministry of Environment on Thursday. Analysis was conducted on 582 domestic and imported bottled water products last year. DEHP was detected in 146 products, or 25.1 percent, and DEHA was detected in 149 products, or 25.6 percent. "It is very possible that environmental hormones contained in plastic bottles and caps were absorbed into the water," a government official said.
Environmental hormones were found in nine out of 18 imported water products, or 50 percent, which was double the percentage for domestic water. The density of environmental hormones found in these products, however, was less than 72 percent of the amount permitted by U.S. regulations on drinking water. Korea does not regulate the amount of environmental hormones in drinking water. This is why some believe that most plastic containers used in households such as plastic kimchi containers, drinking bottles, side dish containers, and lunch boxes will all be problematic.
The reason why environmental hormones have become one of the three major environmental issues facing humans today -- along with global warming and ozone depletion -- is because they disrupt our reproductive systems, and could make the continuance of mankind impossible. To reduce the threats of environmental hormones, experts say it is important to know when, where, and through what channels people are exposed to them.
¡ß Electronics, grooming products are worrisome
The number of chemicals that are classified as environmental hormones by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is between 67 to 143. The one that international researchers are most worried about is polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). It is contained in many products that are made of plastic or fiber, such as the casings of televisions, computers and other household appliances, and carpets. PBDE is added to products to make them fire resistant, but the substance can be inhaled into the body while using them.
Fragrances, hair spray, hair mousse, and nail polishes are also sources of environmental hormones. Contaminants such as diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from these products flow into our bodies through our lungs or skin. According to the Korean Women's Environmental Network on Thursday, DEP and DBP were detected in 11 perfume and nail products out of 13. These products should be withdrawn, the group said.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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