" Eggs in Frying Pan "
Exposure to chemicals that are used to make nonstick pans and waterproof clothing, among other things, may increase cholesterol levels in children, according to a new study.
Although the link has not been tested in humans , fears arise from a lawsuit in which they were involved over 12,000 children by the contamination of drinking water with these substances in Ohio, United States , who have found high levels of LDL cholesterol or "bad" cholesterol .
These synthetic substances belong to the so-called perfluoroalkyl , which include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA ) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS ).
Joint Exhibition
Humans are exposed to these compounds in drinking water , dust and various products that are commonly used in industry.
For example, PFOA and PFOS are responsible for the non-stick and heat resistance of the pans for cooking, also used in food packaging products and processing of textiles , carpets and clothing waterproof and stain resistant .
According to scientists, these substances may enter the body and travel to the liver, the organ responsible for producing cholesterol and control the fat consumed in the diet.
Past studies also have found that PFOA and PFOS may have an impact on how the agency is responsible for managing these fats.
Now , researchers at the School of Medicine, University of West Virginia , decided to further investigate this link with children who were involved in a lawsuit related to an industrial accident that resulted in contamination with particularly high levels of PFOA in a supply of drinking water in Ohio River Valley .
The scientists took blood samples of 12 476 children and adolescents between 12 and 19 years .
Tests showed they had much higher levels of PFOA in what is normally expected in a human being, of 69.2 nanograms per milliliter (the national average is 3.9 ng / ml).
We also found that the higher level of PFOA , the higher your LDL cholesterol level . ( High levels of LDL cholesterol are linked to cardiovascular disease).
About 20 % of children with higher levels of PFOA had a total cholesterol level of 4.6 milligrams per deciliter and LDL cholesterol levels were 3.8 mg / dl higher that 20% of children with lower levels of PFOA.
Among children who had PFOS levels slightly higher , also found higher cholesterol levels .
Caution
The study, published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine ( Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine ) states that it is too early to say that children who participated in the study are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease .
"Cholesterol"
But they say the results suggest that this association between PFOA and PFOS and high cholesterol levels should be investigated further.
Other experts , however , stress that one should be cautious about interpreting these results.
According to Cathy Ross , a spokesman for the British Heart Foundation , "this study was conducted in specific areas of the United States where the levels of these substances were too high due to water pollution . "
"This shows that there is a link to these substances when they are used in the coating of cooking pans , where they are used at levels considerably lower . "
"Although this study found that there were high levels of PFOA and PFOS in the blood and also found a modest increase in cholesterol levels , this does not mean that the substances cause an increase in cholesterol . "
The expert added that " further studies are needed to identify whether small amounts of these chemicals to which children are exposed in countries like the UK actually affect your cholesterol levels . "
According to Cathy Ross , rather than the coating of the pans , which goes into these pans when cooking is what has a greater impact on heart health of children.
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