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They are not just better for your skin and hair – new research shows that chemicals in personal care products increase the risk of diabetes in women.
A study lead by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), published in Environmental Health Perspectives, shows an association between increased concentrations of phthalates in the body and an increased risk of diabetes in women. Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are commonly found in personal care products such as moisturisers, nail polishes, soaps, hair sprays and perfumes. They are also used in adhesives, electronics, toys and a variety of other products.
Phthalate problem
Researchers, lead by Tamarra James-Todd, PhD, a researcher in the Division of Women's Health at BWH, analysed urinary concentrations of phthalates in 2,350 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They found that women with higher levels of phthalates in their urine were more likely to have diabetes. Specifically: women who had the highest levels of the chemicals mono-benzyl phthalate and mono-isobutyl phthalate had almost twice the risk of diabetes compared to women with the lowest levels of those chemicals, while women with even moderately high levels of the chemicals had approximately a 70 percent increased risk of diabetes.
