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Liberty Times
Updated: 2010/01/19 04:11
[Reporter Zhong Lihua / Taipei Report]
The flame-retardant substance added to electronic appliances, plastics, textiles, and building materials—polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)—is an environmental hormone that can enter the human body through the food chain. Scholars conducting domestic food testing have found that PBDEs concentrations are highest in meat products. Long-term accumulation may disrupt thyroid hormone secretion, cause reproductive toxicity, and even lead to cancer.
Average concentrations exceed 15 and 13 ppb respectively.
Professor Mao Yifang from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health at Chung Shan Medical University was commissioned by the National Science Council last year to study the environmental distribution and exposure of PBDEs and test for PBDEs in food. Nine samples were taken for each type of food, with the highest concentrations found in chicken and pork, averaging over 15 ppb and 13 ppb (parts per billion). Beef measured around 2.6 ppb, milkfish and salmon at approximately 7.8 ppb and 1.9 ppb, and milk at 0.23 ppb, with whole milk showing higher concentrations than low-fat milk.
Mao Yifang explained that PBDEs are fat-soluble, meaning foods with higher fat content have higher PBDEs levels, while fruits, vegetables, and rice are less likely to absorb and accumulate them. He also found that livestock and poultry raised closer to residential areas had higher PBDEs concentrations.
Mao further noted that PBDEs do not bond with product materials and can easily be released—such as through friction with curtains or when computers and televisions heat up—entering the air and water, and even settling into soil before entering the food chain and posing health risks. PBDEs can disrupt hormones, cause neurotoxicity, and lead to cancer, with even small amounts affecting hormonal balance.
Long-term accumulation affects intelligence and reduces reproductive capacity.
Lin Jieliang, Director of the Department of Clinical Toxicology at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, stated that 80–90% of PBDEs enter the human body through food, while 10–20% are inhaled. In Hong Kong, a man once suffered acute liver dysfunction after inhaling large amounts of PBDEs while playing video games. Ingestion leads to chronic accumulation, which, while not immediately harmful, can result in hypothyroidism over time. Pregnant women consuming PBDEs may risk affecting fetal IQ and development, while children may experience learning and memory impairments. Additionally, PBDEs can damage female ovaries and reduce male reproductive capacity.
Children should eat less fried chicken and more fruits and vegetables.
Lin Jieliang said that according to international studies, the lowest toxic dose in animals is 150 ppb, but the standard for humans should be ten or even a hundred times higher. He advised the public to consume less skin, meat, and fat and to eat more fruits and vegetables, with children particularly encouraged to reduce fried chicken intake.
Yuan Shaoying, Chair of the Department of Biotechnology at TransWorld University, noted that PBDEs toxicity is similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT, and they do not decompose in the environment. Even with nanotechnology treatment, 20–30% remains. The EU has banned them for years, while Taiwan restricts the use of octaBDE and pentaBDE. Industry has developed alternatives, but costs remain high.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100119/ 78/ 1z0zw. html
Study Finds Highest Levels of Endocrine Disruptors in Chicken and Pork
Updated: 2010/01/19 04:11
[Reporter Zhong Lihua / Taipei Report]
The flame-retardant substance added to electronic appliances, plastics, textiles, and building materials—polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)—is an environmental hormone that can enter the human body through the food chain. Scholars conducting domestic food testing have found that PBDEs concentrations are highest in meat products. Long-term accumulation may disrupt thyroid hormone secretion, cause reproductive toxicity, and even lead to cancer.
Average concentrations exceed 15 and 13 ppb respectively.
Professor Mao Yifang from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health at Chung Shan Medical University was commissioned by the National Science Council last year to study the environmental distribution and exposure of PBDEs and test for PBDEs in food. Nine samples were taken for each type of food, with the highest concentrations found in chicken and pork, averaging over 15 ppb and 13 ppb (parts per billion). Beef measured around 2.6 ppb, milkfish and salmon at approximately 7.8 ppb and 1.9 ppb, and milk at 0.23 ppb, with whole milk showing higher concentrations than low-fat milk.
Mao Yifang explained that PBDEs are fat-soluble, meaning foods with higher fat content have higher PBDEs levels, while fruits, vegetables, and rice are less likely to absorb and accumulate them. He also found that livestock and poultry raised closer to residential areas had higher PBDEs concentrations.
Mao further noted that PBDEs do not bond with product materials and can easily be released—such as through friction with curtains or when computers and televisions heat up—entering the air and water, and even settling into soil before entering the food chain and posing health risks. PBDEs can disrupt hormones, cause neurotoxicity, and lead to cancer, with even small amounts affecting hormonal balance.
Long-term accumulation affects intelligence and reduces reproductive capacity.
Lin Jieliang, Director of the Department of Clinical Toxicology at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, stated that 80–90% of PBDEs enter the human body through food, while 10–20% are inhaled. In Hong Kong, a man once suffered acute liver dysfunction after inhaling large amounts of PBDEs while playing video games. Ingestion leads to chronic accumulation, which, while not immediately harmful, can result in hypothyroidism over time. Pregnant women consuming PBDEs may risk affecting fetal IQ and development, while children may experience learning and memory impairments. Additionally, PBDEs can damage female ovaries and reduce male reproductive capacity.
Children should eat less fried chicken and more fruits and vegetables.
Lin Jieliang said that according to international studies, the lowest toxic dose in animals is 150 ppb, but the standard for humans should be ten or even a hundred times higher. He advised the public to consume less skin, meat, and fat and to eat more fruits and vegetables, with children particularly encouraged to reduce fried chicken intake.
Yuan Shaoying, Chair of the Department of Biotechnology at TransWorld University, noted that PBDEs toxicity is similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT, and they do not decompose in the environment. Even with nanotechnology treatment, 20–30% remains. The EU has banned them for years, while Taiwan restricts the use of octaBDE and pentaBDE. Industry has developed alternatives, but costs remain high.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 100119/ 78/ 1z0zw. html