you have more contact to the exterior world through your gut than through your skin

[en.wikipedia.org]

"Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes.[1] Because of this, they have been observed to persist in the environment, to be capable of long-range transport, bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, biomagnify in food chains,[1] and to have potential significant impacts on human health and the environment."

"POP exposure can cause death and illnesses including disruption of the endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems; neurobehavioral disorders; and cancers possibly including breast cancer.[1] Exposure to POPs can take place through diet, environmental exposure, or accidents.[1] Knowledge of the bioavailability of the pollutant as well as the hazard and dose/response relationship is essential in performing a human health risk assessment.[4]

These compounds are therefore unable to transport directly through the environment.[citation needed] The indirect routes include attachment to particulate matter, and through the food web.

The ability of POPs to travel great distances is part of the explanation for why countries that banned the use of specific POPs are no longer experiencing a decline in their concentrations; the wind may carry chemicals into the country from places that still use them.[3]

A study published in 2006 indicated a link between blood serum levels of POPs and diabetes.[5] Individuals with elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (DDT, dioxins, PCBs and Chlordane, among others) in their body were found to be up to 38 times more likely to be insulin resistant than individuals with low levels of these pollutants, though the study did not demonstrate a cause and effect relationship.[5] As most exposure to POPs is through consumption of animal fats, study participants with high levels of serum POPs are also very likely to be consumers of high amounts of animal fats, and thus the consumption of the fats themselves, or other associated factors may be responsible for the observed increase in insulin resistance. Another possibility is that insulin resistance causes increased accumulation of POPs. Among study participants, obesity was associated with diabetes only in people who tested high for these pollutants. These pollutants are accumulated in animal fats, so minimizing consumption of animal fats may reduce the risk of diabetes.[6]"



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/25/2013 12:59PM by Panchito.