Two University of Memphis psychologists are testing possibly toxic chemicals on pregnant mice and their offspring this semester to learn how chemicals in plastics affect humans.
Behavioral psychologist Helen Joan Sable and her graduate student, Jenna Nelms, are studying the possible toxic neurological effects of bisphenol A, or BPA, on the furry rodents. The chemical is found in a wide variety of common products, including plastic bottles, soda cans and children's toys.
Sable said the study, which is in its initial phase, will examine the offspring to see if they show any signs of abnormal behavior or neurological problems as they develop into adulthood. The study will also test the mice for any signs of depression or anxiety.
Sable said the doses given to the pregnant mice are "well below" the Environmental Protection Agency's required levels and are considered relatively harmless.
"These are doses that produce no obvious effects on the mice at all - they don't have any birth defects," she said.
A hormonal disruption produced by foreign estrogenic chemicals, also called xenoestrogens, may lead to serious health problems such as an increased risk of infertility, breast and prostate cancer, and impairments to the brain's structure and function during fetal development.
Water bottles are one of the most used products with BPA around the world. In the United States alone, roughly two million water bottles are used every five minutes.
Sable said students should buy a BPA-free bottle or use a stainless steel container to hold their water, just in case.
Liel White, senior nursing major, said she had used the same water bottle "two or three times" and had washed the container with detergent before she found out about BPA.
There are a few ways to reduce exposure to chemicals like BPA. When cooking food, use metal or wooden utensils. Ceramic or glass containers are best when reheating food.
Students can also switch to BPA-free containers for beverages and food items at home or for take out from restaurants.
Childrens' toys, bottles and pacifiers can also be checked for a BPA-free label.
Behavioral psychologist Helen Joan Sable and her graduate student, Jenna Nelms, are studying the possible toxic neurological effects of bisphenol A, or BPA, on the furry rodents. The chemical is found in a wide variety of common products, including plastic bottles, soda cans and children's toys.
The psychologists are concerned that BPA can leech out of some plastic containers when exposed to heat or to cleaning agents like detergents.
Sable said the study, which is in its initial phase, will examine the offspring to see if they show any signs of abnormal behavior or neurological problems as they develop into adulthood. The study will also test the mice for any signs of depression or anxiety.
Sable said the doses given to the pregnant mice are "well below" the Environmental Protection Agency's required levels and are considered relatively harmless.
"These are doses that produce no obvious effects on the mice at all - they don't have any birth defects," she said.
A study by the U.S. National Toxicology Program in 2008 showed that low doses of BPA provided "limited evidence for adverse effects on development in laboratory animals."
But other studies have found that BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which means it acts like estrogen in the body and can lead to unnatural changes in hormone levels.
While the full effect of BPA on humans is still unclear, products with BPA can be found in many products like bottled containers, plastic cutlery, printer ink, recycled paper, and especially in the epoxy - an adhesive substance - contained within canned food items.
Water bottles are one of the most used products with BPA around the world. In the United States alone, roughly two million water bottles are used every five minutes.
Sable said students should buy a BPA-free bottle or use a stainless steel container to hold their water, just in case.
Liel White, senior nursing major, said she had used the same water bottle "two or three times" and had washed the container with detergent before she found out about BPA.
"I am not using water bottles over again," White said. "I don't usually buy a lot of water bottles - I use a Nalgene, which is a reusable jug."
There are a few ways to reduce exposure to chemicals like BPA. When cooking food, use metal or wooden utensils. Ceramic or glass containers are best when reheating food.
Students can also switch to BPA-free containers for beverages and food items at home or for take out from restaurants.
Childrens' toys, bottles and pacifiers can also be checked for a BPA-free label.
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