Environmental Toxins: Is Obesity Linked to Environmental Toxins?

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs, have been produced since the 1960s and are found in carpeting, upholstered furniture, computers, and hair dryers. American consumers are believed to come in contact with up to 100 products containing PBDEs each day; this is of concern because PBDEs are emerging as having a negative effects on human health. The persistence of PBDEs in the environment is similar to that of banned substances DDT and PCBs.

Obesity and Environmental Chemicals Linked?

A recent study suggests that human exposure to PBDEs might be linked to the increased rates of human obesity. PBDEs can act as phytoestrogens and thyroid hormones. This is of concern because by acting as these molecular messengers, PBDEs may make cells more likely to develop into fat cells. Gale Carey, a professor of nutrition who has studied the effects of PBDEs, says that "everything I do has to do with how changes in signaling result in changes in gene expression." Deena Small, a colleague of Carey, adds that There’s much more to obesity than eating too much McDonald’s and not exercising. PBDEs may be one of the confounding factors to obesity.”