(NaturalNews) Higher exposure to toxic chemicals may explain the difference in testicular cancer rates between Denmark and Finland, researchers from the University Department of Growth and Reproduction have found in a study on breast milk.
"Our findings reinforce the view that environmental exposure to [endocrine-disrupting chemicals] may explain some of the temporal and between-country differences in incidence of male reproductive disorders," said lead researcher Niels Skakkebaek.
Rates of
testicular cancer, genital abnormalities, low semen quality, and other male reproductive
disorders are four times higher in Denmark than in nearby Finland. These conditions have previously been linked to exposure to industrial
chemicals that disrupt the hormonal (endocrine) system.
Endocrine disruptors have also been linked to birth defects, neurological problems, and increased rates of
cancer and heart disease. The most dangerous chemicals are known as persistent organic pollutants, because they resist
environmental degradation and accumulate in the
environment.
Most of these chemicals bind to animal fat. As a consequence, animal-based foods tend to contain higher concentrations. So does human
breast milk.
In the current study, researchers tested the breast milk of 68
women in Denmark and Finland for 121 different chemicals. They found significantly higher levels of
pesticides, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Danish breast
milk.
The higher rates of testicular cancer and other reproductive disorders in Denmark may not be explained directly by
contamination via breast milk. Breast milk contamination is thought to be a reliable marker of prenatal chemical
exposure, which is likely to pose an even greater risk.
Skakkebaek stressed that women should not take the study as a reason to continue breast feeding, which has been shown to have "many beneficial effects for the child."
In addition to animal foods, people may be exposed to endocrine disruptors from pesticides, plastics, resins used to line
food containers, and other chemicals used in manufacturing.
Sources for this story include:
www.dailymail.co.uk.
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: 
Now Available from 
