Brain development may be affected by chemicals

Conclusion This literature review provides stimulation for debate, but does not add much in the way of proof, around the issue of whether low levels of industrial chemicals are causing harm to people on a wide scale, and if or how they should be regulated differently than they are today. The study highlights a number of valid issues for debate (see below), but provides only half of the debate in the publication. The review may benefit from a more balanced account or critique of the underlying studies it drew upon. For instance, some were cross sectional studies that provide little evidence on causality. And even those that were cohort studies may still be subject to significant confounding from other factors. These limitations weren’t discussed in the published article. Hence, whether or not there is a firm evidence base on which to assert that these chemicals are causing damage is not clear from this publication. They may be present in the original 2006 review, which was not assessed as part of this critique. Currently chemicals are presumed safe until negative health consequences are proven. An example of this was the use of lead piping that contaminated water and resulted in lead poisoning, or the use of asbestos fibres in buildings that caused lung cancer. There is legitimate argument around whether this is the correct approach given the often large time delay between these chemicals being routinely used and any health effects being detected. An alternative, proposed a...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology Source Type: news