Emory Study Finds Possible Link Between PFCs and Obesity
New research from Emory University shows exposure to a chemical found in everything from non-stick pans to clothing could lead to obesity later in life.
Four-hundred fourty-seven pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of polyfluoralkyl compounds, or PFCs, had babies that were smaller than average at birth, but larger than average at 20 months.
“There’s growing evidence that certain chemicals in our environment may also be contributing to obesity and diabetes,” says Emory’s Dr. Michelle Marcus, the study’s lead researcher:
Exposure to PFCs is nearly impossible to avoid completely.
Marcus says chemical additives to non-food products rarely face stringent analysis before going to market.
“And they are not required to be tested for toxicity. So we are always playing catch-up.”
Combined with other studies, Marcus says this outcome offers compelling evidence of a link between PFCs and obesity. She adds more research is needed.
The study is published in the online journal: Environmental Health Perspectives.
9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))
Related
Top Stories
