Could the products designed to protect us actually be undermining our brain health?
New research points to common household chemicals used as flame retardants and disinfectants as harmful culprits.
Millions Afflicted by Neurological Disease With Causes Unknown
While neurological disorders affect millions—with that number growing—only a fraction of cases stem from genetic causes, suggesting environmental factors contribute to their rise.To identify these risk factors, Mr. Tesar’s team focused on chemicals adversely affecting oligodendrocytes—crucial nerve cells that create the insulating myelin sheath around nerves in the brain and spinal cord, enabling proper signal transmission.
Analyzing the effects of more than 1,800 chemicals on mouse oligodendrocyte development in cell cultures, researchers identified 292 that kill these cells and 49 that inhibit their growth.
Everyday Items Exposing Kids to Brain-Damaging Chemicals
QACs, found in many personal care products and disinfectants, whose usage surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and organophosphate flame retardants, present in electronics and furniture, pose potential risks.“These chemicals can be found in products we use in our homes, where they have important roles,” Mr. Tesar said, “but we need to consider what levels of exposure are safe and what levels could be affecting brain health.”
Oligodendrocytes continue developing from the fetal stage into adulthood, making them susceptible to toxic chemical damage. The researchers linked exposure to a flame retardant metabolite—bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP)—to poor neurological outcomes in children nationwide.
Evidence Already Links Chemicals to Multiple Sclerosis
Research from 2020 found a worldwide increase in multiple sclerosis cases since 2013. This chronic, debilitating disease causes myelin damage, leading to muscle weakness, vision issues, numbness, and memory problems. “Loss of oligodendrocytes underlies multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases,” Mr. Tesar said in a statement.More Work Needed to Establish Safe Levels of Necessary Chemicals
Mr. Tesar said his research aims to better understand the potential effects of environmental chemicals on brain health.“We rigorously tested these chemicals in the laboratory to show that, at specific levels, they can harm cells in the brain,” he said. “Interestingly, we found that these chemicals do not target nerve cells, but other cells in the brain.”
Mr. Tesar said his study highlights that some chemicals in everyday household products may harm human health. However, he also cautioned that these findings don’t suggest that these chemicals should be removed from our environment or homes.
The study lays the groundwork for future work identifying hazardous exposure levels to better inform practices and policies, Mr. Tesar noted. It’s the beginning, not a call to eliminate these chemicals immediately, he said.