Common Plastic Chemical Can Wreak Havoc on The Sex Cells of Worms
Researchers exposed roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) to the chemical benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) at levels within a range previously detected in samples of human urine, semen, blood, umbilical cord blood, breast milk, and amniotic fluid.
The team, led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, found BPP and its byproducts were internalized in worms at similar levels to what is seen in humans, and that the plastic chemical had the strongest negative effect on the animals' sex cells, including DNA breakage.
BBP was, and in some cases still is, used widely in products like vinyl flooring and furniture, exercise balls, carpet backing, children's toys and other childcare products, car care products, and cosmetics.
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