Studies on endocrine disruptors | Pollutants that affect pregnancies

The endocrine disruptors to which a woman is exposed during her pregnancy have harmful effects on both the mother and the child, underline researchers from Quebec and Ontario.

Philippe Robitaille-Grou
The Press

In a recent article in the journal Environmental Researchresearchers from the National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS), TELUQ University and Queen’s University warn of the short- and long-term effects of endocrine disruptors.

From mother to child

Endocrine disruptors are found everywhere in the environment, both in pesticides and in medicines, plastics or cosmetics.

These contaminants interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones. In pregnant women, this system plays a key role. “The body prepares not only to grow the child, but also to breastfeed it, explains Isabelle Plante, researcher in environmental toxicology at INRS and main author of the article. There are so many changes in women at this time, and these changes are largely regulated by hormones and the endocrine system. »

Endocrine disruptors are linked to miscarriages and premature births. However, other effects are felt in the longer term in children.

“Pregnancy is a period when there is a lot of programming that is done, notes Isabelle Plante. At the level of the child, all the mechanisms that he will need for the future life are put in place. A programming problem can be reflected in adult life. »

Development of the mammary glands

For example, the researchers observed that contaminants disturb the mammary glands in the unborn child. They thus increase the risk of breast cancer once the organ has developed. Chronic health problems like obesity and diabetes are also more likely to occur.

“It’s a risk that is rather invisible,” says Maryse Bouchard, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal who did not participate in the study. It is done at low doses of exposure. We can put that on the back of the lifestyle habits of the pregnant woman or her overweight. The professor maintains that further studies will be necessary in order to more accurately measure the part of responsibility of endocrine disruptors in these health problems.

It is currently estimated that up to one hundred of these disruptors are found in the umbilical cord at birth. This is explained in particular by the fact that the placenta does not adequately protect the baby against disruptive substances, contaminants such as phthalates that interfere with its proper functioning. “We have always thought that the placenta was a barrier to contamination of children by endocrine disruptors,” says Lise Parent, professor of biology at TÉLUQ University and co-author of the article. And ultimately, that’s not the case at all. »

Engage the public and governments

For Isabelle Lacroix, the goal is not to panic the public about the risks associated with endocrine disruptors. The researcher insists on the need to raise public awareness of this still little-known issue. “It is important that pregnant women are aware of where these contaminants are and take calculated risks,” insists Isabelle Lacroix.

“But it shouldn’t be women who carry all the mental burden,” says Lise Parent. Governments need to act. At the moment there is Canadian Environmental Protection Act which is currently being reviewed, and we must lobby for it to better regulate the use of these pollutants. »