The seemingly stupid question in the post title
brings the answer which may surprise you. The answer is YES, after researchers
from West Virginia University Department of Community Medicine confirmed that
women found to be exposed to high levels of perfluorocarbons (PFCs may be at
risk for early menopause.
What is PFC?
Perfluorocarbons,
sometimes referred to as fluorocarbons or PFCs, are organofluorine compounds
that contain only carbon and fluorine bonded together in strong carbonfluorine
bonds. Perfluorocarbons have chemical inertness and thermal stability.
Perfluorocarbon liquids
are colorless. They have high density, up to over twice that of water, due to
their high molecular weight. Very low intermolecular forces give the liquids
low viscosities (compared to liquids of similar boiling points), low surface
tension and low heats of vaporization. They have particularly low refractive
indices too. They are not miscible with most organic solvents (e.g., ethanol,
acetone, ethyl acetate and chloroform), but are miscible with some hydrocarbons
(e.g., hexane in some cases). They have very low solubility in water, and water
has a very low solubility in them (on the order of 10 ppm). However, they are
relatively good solvents for gases, again because of the very low
intermolecular forces. The number of carbon atoms in the perfluorocarbon
molecule largely defines most physical properties. The greater the number of
carbon atoms, the higher the boiling point, density, viscosity, surface
tension, critical properties, vapor pressure and refractive index. Gas solubility
decreases as carbon atoms increase.
PFCs have been
historically used in a variety of products found in the household, such as food
containers, clothing, furniture, carpeting and paints. Often used to repel
stains and for water proofing, PFCs have unfortunately found their way into our
water, the air we breathe, the soil, plant life and animals. These chemicals
have a long half-life, meaning that their presence in our lives appears to be
ubiquitous.
PFC and Early Menopause
In the latest study, the
researchers examined data that had been collected from 25,957 women residing
near Parkersburg WV who were between the ages of 18 and 65 and were believed to
have been exposed to PFCs via their drinking water. After excluding women who
had had hysterectomies, and accounting for factors such as smoking, age, body
mass index, alcohol use and physical activity, they found that women with
high blood levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane
Sulfonate (PFOS) — both types of PFCs — were significantly more likelier to
experience menopause at an earlier age than their peers with lower exposure
levels. Moreover, exposure to high levels of PFOS in particular
appeared to negatively affect concentrations of naturally occurring estrogen
(i.e. estradiol), with higher levels of the chemical associated with lower
estrogen levels, an event that occurs naturally in menopause as reproductive
hormones start to wane.
Premature menopause has
been associated with increased risk for a variety of conditions and due
diligence is recommended. An increased of heart disease due to declining
endogenous estrogen production is probably the most frightening and the one
that experts appear to be most worried about. Conversely, women who maintain
their estrogen levels for the longest period of times reportedly have a 20%
decreased risk of dying from heart disease. And, the researchers point to
another often disregarded issue, which is, that “the onset of accelerated
decline in ovarian function and menopause is believed to be fixed,” i.e. early
menopause equals an accelerated decline in fertility before age 32.
Of note, this study is a cross-sectional
study, meaning that the researchers were unable to tease out factors that might
affect their findings, such as length of time of exposure, or that PFC
concentrations are higher in postmenopausal women because menstrual flow actually
eliminates some of the PFC toxin in blood (blood is replaced faster than the
toxin) and that since these women are no longer losing blood, the PFC remains.
The substantial interdependence,
however, was not found equally in all age groups. A clear relationship was
shown between PFC, early menopause, and estradiol levels only in women over 42.
In women of childbearing age, a correlation was noted, but not considered
statistically significant. There did not appear to be an association in women
already well into menopause.
Controversy
Not all the members of the
scientific community equally embraced the study results. Based on study
results, lead researcher Dr. Sarah Knox concluded that while the study does not
prove higher PFC levels actually cause earlier menopause, “There is no doubt
there is an association between exposure to PFCs and onset of menopause. Part
of the explanation could be that women in these age groups have higher PFC
levels because they are no longer losing PFCs with menstrual blood anymore, but
it is still clinically disturbing because it would imply increased PFC exposure
is the natural result of menopause.”
Dr. Josh Bloom from American Council for Science and Health (ACSH) finds this statement to be rather disingenuous. He says, “The authors are clearly implying that PFCs cause menopause by claiming that women with menopause have more PFCs in their blood. But there is an alternate explanation that makes just as much sense: women who have reached menopause are obviously older than those who haven’t and have spent more time using non-stick cookware and therefore have had more exposure to the PFCs over their lifetime. This is just as reasonable an explanation for the findings but is downplayed in the article.” He continues, “Anyhow, people eating at my home should be far more worried about my cooking than the pans.”
Dr. Josh Bloom from American Council for Science and Health (ACSH) finds this statement to be rather disingenuous. He says, “The authors are clearly implying that PFCs cause menopause by claiming that women with menopause have more PFCs in their blood. But there is an alternate explanation that makes just as much sense: women who have reached menopause are obviously older than those who haven’t and have spent more time using non-stick cookware and therefore have had more exposure to the PFCs over their lifetime. This is just as reasonable an explanation for the findings but is downplayed in the article.” He continues, “Anyhow, people eating at my home should be far more worried about my cooking than the pans.”
“This is an atrocious
story, both scientifically and journalistically,” laments ACSH's Dr. Gilbert
Ross. “Liberally throwing the terms ‘gender-bending’ and ‘hormone-disrupting’
around like a juggler, the writer aims not to inform but to alarm readers. The
notion that ‘PFCs...cause hormonal changes’ is a thoroughly baseless assertion.
To extrapolate from these findings to even an ‘association’ is scientifically
baseless — it would be called malpractice if it were medical care. Everyone
involved in publicizing this study should be ashamed — Daily Mail, JCEM and
the authors.”
Summary
Yes, the study might be
inconclusive, and the topic requires more research. However, there are no
doubts that the PFC excessive consumption might not be good for your health. PFCs
have been already linked to thyroid cancer, immune system problems, and heart
diseases to various degrees.
In a another study that
evaluated the children and adolescents involved in the C8 Health Project,
investigators found increased levels of total cholesterol and low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in young people exposed to PFOA and PFOS.
Due to health concerns,
the company 3M Chemolite facility in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, halted the
production of certain PFCs such as, perfluoroctanoate (PFOA) and
perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) chemicals in Scotchgard consumer products in
2002. DuPont, manufacture of Teflon, announced in 2000 they planned to
phase out the PFC chemicals by 2015. In 2004, DuPont spent over $100
million to ensure that the water in homes of Ohio and West Virginia residents
weren’t contaminated with PFOA. In that same year, DuPont also agreed to
pay $16.5 million to the EPA in fines and support of research and education.
So, researchers produced
the following list of recommendations for all individuals, especially women, on
how to take precautions to eliminate or at least reduce exposure to PFCs,
including:
- Selecting hardwood floors over stain resistant
carpeting in the home.
- Wearing cotton rather than synthetic clothing.
- Washing new clothing before wearing.
- Using an air popper or stove to make popcorn
rather than a microwave.
- Microwaving food in glass rather than plastic
containers.
- Using cast-iron cookware instead of non-stick
coated cookware.
- Using the most chemical-free personal care products you can find
Sources
and Additional Information:
http://www.virginiahopkinshealthwatch.com/2011/03/how-to-avoid-chemicals-that-cause-early-menopause/
