Children and adolescents who consume medications containing phthalates are at a significantly higher risk of developing bone cancer and lymphomas, according to a study by scientists at the University of Vermont. Phthalates are commonly found in plastic products, as well as in medications and cosmetics. While they are often used as a coating for capsules to prevent them from dissolving too quickly, they are also used as stabilizers in viscous preparations and conventional tablets. However, many phthalates have a hormone-like effect on the body and are considered endocrine disruptors, with links to obesity, asthma, diabetes, and even infertility.
The researchers analyzed data from a Danish health register of 1.3 million people born between 1997 and 2017 to determine whether common phthalates in medications could also affect cancer risk. They reconstructed the amount of phthalates the children had consumed through phthalate-containing medications until adulthood and examined the exposure in the womb through medications taken by the mother during pregnancy. The study found that certain types of cancer occurred more frequently in children who had taken phthalate-containing medications for an extended period. The risk of lymph node cancer doubled, while bone cancer occurred three times more often.
Although the study cannot prove a causal link between cancer in children and phthalates, the results are cause for concern, according to the authors. Other studies have also suggested that phthalates may increase the risk of cancer. “Our results contribute to a growing body of evidence that these ubiquitous chemicals have a negative impact on human health,” said lead author Thomas Ahern. “Phthalate exposure has already been linked to thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and other solid tumors,” added Frances Carr. The study highlights the need for further research into the potential health risks associated with phthalates in medications and other products.
