Wednesday, July 2, 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
Environmental Magazine
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Activism

Does plastic exposure explain foetal growth restriction?

April 8, 2022
in Activism
A A

A new UK study has found a possible link between pregnant mothers coming into contact with the chemical Bisphenol A and low weight in newborn boys. 

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that women exposed to a material commonly found in plastics could experience altered expression of a protein that plays a significant role in foetal development. 

The work was first published in the Biology of Reproduction, and is the first to compare the biological effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) – often present in canned food, plastic bottles, food containers, toys and medical equipment – on male and female placental tissue, a powerful indicator of an unborn baby’s health. It is thought 90% of all humans have the substance present in their blood and urine. 

Specifically, it was found that Estrogen Related Receptor Gamma (ESSRG), a vital placenta gene and known BPA receptor, was around 50% less abundant in male compared to female tissue after treatments involving the chemical. Scientists now believe this could lead to foetal growth restriction (FGR), a condition that occurs when the placenta is not working well enough to give the baby all nutrients needed to grow normally.

Although the majority of FGR cases lead to a healthy newborn, it has been linked to increased pregnancy complications, with up to 10% of this type of pregnancy needing close monitoring. Meanwhile, babies born with the condition present are at heightened risk of conditions including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes and thyroid disease later in life. 

‘For the first time we identify a possible biological mechanism which could explain why Bisphenol A exposure in mothers is linked to foetal growth restriction in some baby boys,’ said Zhiyong Zou, PhD researcher at the University of Manchester and the lead author. ‘Our study of placenta suggest that this abundant chemical found in plastics binds with a gene called ESRRG to interrupt its signalling pathways in male human placentas. That could affect the functioning of a baby’s placenta and consequently, it’s development in the womb… It also opens up the possibility of a therapeutic drug target.’

In related news, microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans will ‘continue to rise for decades’ even if no more plastic is allowed to enter the sea.

Photo by freestocks

ShareTweetSharePinSendShare

Related Articles

Activism

Truckers Say Oil and Gas Companies Are Violating Hazardous Materials Transport Regulations

June 29, 2025
Activism

‘Systematically Failed’: Civil Society’s Latest Attempt to Reform UN Climate Talks

June 27, 2025
Activism

In California, a Push to Decommission Gas Lines in Low-Income Neighborhoods Moves Forward

June 22, 2025
Activism

The Ecofeminist Movement Is Surging. Here’s What Its Advocates Want

June 21, 2025
Activism

Juneteenth and Its Role in Environmental Justice—for All

June 19, 2025
Activism

The Darter Fish and the Data Center

June 16, 2025

Recommended

Meta Strikes 20-Year Nuclear Power Deal With Constellation Energy

June 3, 2025

As Trump Promotes ‘Clean Beautiful Coal,’ a  Lit Cigarette Above a West Virginia Coal Mine Leaves a Woman Fighting for Her Life

April 11, 2025

Don't miss it

Fossil Fuels

Texas Supreme Court Rules on Produced Water Ownership

July 1, 2025
Energy

Latest GOP Provisions in Budget Bill Seek to Crush Renewable Energy

June 30, 2025
Energy

Texas’ Risk of Summer Blackouts Reduced Thanks to Solar and Batteries

June 28, 2025
Fossil Fuels

The Danger of Losing the EPA’s Endangerment Finding

June 28, 2025
News

UK government body to deploy innovative robotics to manage radioactive waste

June 27, 2025
News

Squaring the circle: Making sense of the UK Industrial Strategy

June 27, 2025
Environmental Magazine

Environmental Magazine, Latest News, Opinions, Analysis Environmental Magazine. Follow us for more news about Enviroment and climate change from all around the world.

Learn more

Sections

  • Activism
  • Air
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Fossil Fuels
  • News
  • Uncategorized
  • Water

Topics

Activism Air Climate Change Energy Fossil Fuels News Uncategorized Water

Recent News

Texas Supreme Court Rules on Produced Water Ownership

July 1, 2025

Latest GOP Provisions in Budget Bill Seek to Crush Renewable Energy

June 30, 2025

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.