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Text: Little Fish
Editor|Little Fish
——【· Preface ·】——》
Over the past few decades, the diagnosis rate of autism has shown an alarming growth trend. Whether it is a developed country in Europe and the United States, or a large developing country, more and more families are finding that their children seem to have a different trajectory from the norm.
Why is the number of children with autism increasing? Is it technological advances that have made diagnostics more sensitive, or are there hidden risk factors in the environment that we don't fully understand?
Surprisingly, experts in Australia have suggested an unexpected possibility: the plastic ingested in the mother's body may be the culprit.
Hidden red flags in plastic
In this era of ubiquitous plastics, the results of a study that shocked the scientific community were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications on August 7, 2024. After a decade of painstaking research, a group of scientists in Australia has discovered a troubling fact: BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical widely found in plastic products, may be a significant factor in the increase in autism.
The scale and length of the study is staggering. The research team tracked the growth of more than 600 babies from the moment they hit the ground until they were 11 years old. This large sample size and long observation period provide strong support for the results of the study.
Scientists didn't just passively observe, they also collected urine samples from the mothers of these children and analyzed them in detail. The results showed that mothers whose urine contained BPA showed worrying signs as their children grew up. By the time these children are just two years old, they are already showing autistic tendencies.
To make matters worse, by the age of 11, these children are six times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than the average child. This discovery is undoubtedly like a hammer, sounding the alarm bells. We used to think that autism was mainly caused by genes or some unknown environmental factors, but now, a substance that is ubiquitous in our daily lives can be one of the culprits of all this.
BPA: A potential threat everywhere
BPA, a seemingly unfamiliar chemical term, is actually inseparable from our lives. Its full name is bisphenol A, which is a chemical substance that is widely used in plastic products. Its main role is to prevent plastic from hardening and metal from rusting, which makes it an ideal material for the manufacture of various everyday products.
However, it is precisely this seemingly perfect property that allows BPA to quietly permeate every aspect of our lives. From baby bottles to mineral water bottles that we use every day, from food packaging to drinking cups, and even the inner layers of some metal cans, BPA can be contained. More worryingly, it may also be present in some baby milk cans.
BPA can enter the body in a variety of ways, and can be ingested by us through inhalation, skin contact, or even food packaging. This means that even if we try to avoid it, it will be difficult to completely eliminate contact with BPA.
The scientific community's attitude towards BPA has been controversial. Some scientists believe that BPA is a heteroestrogen that can cause endocrine disorders in the human body and may even induce cancer. In infants and young children, it can trigger precocious puberty and affect the normal development of the fetus. However, some scientists hold a different view, believing that the degree of harm of BPA depends on the size of the dose, and the amount of BPA exposed to in daily life is very low and not enough to cause substantial harm to the human body.
Ten Years of Tracking: A Long Journey to Uncover the Truth
The research by Australia scientists is a marathon of endurance and wisdom. Since 2014, they have been working on this long follow-up study. More than 600 families were involved, and each new birth became the starting point for the study.
The research team went beyond simply observing the growth of these babies, they took a series of rigorous scientific approaches. First, they collected urine samples from the mothers of these babies and analyzed them for BPA through sophisticated instruments. This step is crucial because it provides the underlying data for subsequent studies.
Subsequently, scientists began a decade-long follow-up observation. They keep track of each child's growth trajectory, paying special attention to their behavioural development. When children are two years old, researchers begin to look for early signs of autism.
These signs may include a lack of eye contact, an inadequate response to your surroundings, or repetitive patterns of behavior. When these children reached the age of 11, the research entered a critical phase. Scientists conduct a comprehensive assessment of each child, including a professional autism diagnosis.
This process involves collaboration in multiple areas of expertise, including psychologists, pediatricians, and behavioral specialists. They use standardized diagnostic tools, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), to assess each child in detail.
The results of the study are astounding. Children whose mothers had BPA detected in their urine were diagnosed with autism at a significantly higher rate than other children. This finding is not just a numerical difference, it represents the fate of hundreds of families, as well as major health issues that could affect society as a whole.
From Lab to Reality: Implications for Mouse Experiments
To further validate the association between BPA and autism, the research team turned to animal experiments. They chose mice for their study because their nervous system development similarities to humans and their relatively short life cycles, making it easy to observe long-term effects.
The scientists carefully designed a simulated environment in which mice were exposed to BPA-containing environments. This environment is tightly controlled to ensure that BPA is the only variable. The researchers observed that mice exposed to BPA exhibited a range of abnormal behaviors that were strikingly similar to those of human autistic individuals.
These mice are no longer as active and curious as normal mice. Instead, they begin to exhibit repetitive behaviors, such as constantly grooming their hair. What's more, the social behavior of these mice was significantly reduced. They no longer show interest in their own kind and are reluctant to engage in normal social activities.
These patterns of behavior are highly consistent with those typical of people with autism. The researchers went a step further and studied the anatomical brains of these mice. They found significant changes in the amygdala region in the brains of mice exposed to BPA.
The amygdala, a key region in the brain responsible for emotional processing and social behavior, provides important clues as to how BPA affects brain function. Through these experiments on mice, scientists not only confirmed the link between BPA and autism-like behavior, but also revealed its possible mechanism of action.
BPA appears to be able to inhibit a key enzyme called aromatase, which is essential for the normal development of the brain. Inhibition of this enzyme may lead to abnormal growth of neurons in the brain, which can increase the risk of developing autism.
Global vigilance: Attitudes and measures towards BPA
As more and more research points to the possible health risks posed by BPA, countries around the world are taking action. This global vigilance began in 2008, when Canada was the first to classify BPA as a toxic chemical and enacted regulations banning the use of BPA in baby bottles. This initiative has attracted widespread attention around the world, prompting other countries to begin to re-evaluate the use of BPA as well.
This was followed by similar measures in several European countries. Sweden, for example, has stricter regulations prohibiting the use of BPA in the packaging and coating of products for children under 3 years of age. These measures are not limited to feeding bottles, but also extend to other products that may come into contact with infants and young children.
China was also quick to respond. In 2011, the Chinese government issued a proclamation explicitly banning the use of BPA in infant bottles. This decision demonstrates the importance that China attaches to protecting children's health and reflects the increased global awareness of the potential risks of BPA.
However, these measures are mainly focused on infant and toddler products, while the widespread presence of BPA in other everyday products remains a challenge. Regulatory bodies in many countries are beginning to require plastic manufacturers to label their products as BPA-based or not, giving consumers the right to be informed and make choices.
Despite this, the production and use of BPA has not completely stopped. According to statistics, the global annual production of BPA is still as high as 27 million tons. This figure highlights the difficulty of banning the use of BPA altogether, and reflects the cautious approach of countries in policymaking when the scientific community is still inconclusive about the impact of BPA.
This global vigilance and action reflects both the importance countries place on public health and the complexity of striking a balance between scientific research, industrial interests, and public policy. As more research results become available, we are likely to see more countries and regions adopt stricter measures to limit the use of BPA, especially in products that may affect children's health.
——[· Conclusion ·] ——"
A decade of follow-up research by Australia scientists sheds light on the troubling possibility that plastic products, which are commonplace in our daily lives, may be quietly affecting the health of the next generation.
This study not only reminds us to re-examine the use of plastics, but also calls attention to the profound impact of environmental factors on human health. However, we also need to recognize that scientific research is a process of continuous exploration and validation.
Although this study provides important clues, more research is needed to confirm the exact relationship between BPA and autism. Until then, it may be wise to take modest precautions and reduce unnecessary contacts.
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Information sources:
Research: Microplastics May Contribute to Autism, Depression and Other Mental Illnesses? 》People's Daily Health Client 2022-07-21
"New Study: Daily Exposure to This Chemical May Be the Trigger of Autism" Beijing Peking University Medical Brain Health Technology Co., Ltd., 2024-08-20
"Huazhong Agricultural University Team Finds Plastic Degradable Particles May Be the Potential Cause of Human Mental Illness", Huazhong Agricultural University, July 18, 2022