Chemical Cocktails Cause Penis Deformities in Baby Rats

You know how the EPA and the chemical industry are always claiming that all kinds of chemicals are safe, based on minimal exposure to a single chemical at a time? And you always think, “who’s only exposed to one chemical at a time?” Well, your instinct to distrust these claims is right on the mark, according to a new study that finally evaluated the effect of exposure to multiple chemicals.

Researchers found that harmful effects – including penis deformities – where found in baby rats after a pregnant mother was exposed to a mixture of chemicals, even when each individual chemical in the cocktail causes no harm on its own.

The pregnant rats were given either a phthalate called DEHP, fungicides vinclozolin or prochloraz, the drug finasteride or a mixture of the four chemicals.

From Environmental News Network:

Some groups were exposed to levels of the chemicals that previous research has suggested causes no harm (the “no observed adverse effect level,” or NOAEL). Others were exposed to the chemicals at the NOAEL level.

Once born, the baby rats were weighed, inspected for nipple retention and genital deformities, and measured for the distance between their anus and the base of their penis (anogenital distance). All males were scored for their degree of feminization. In some male animals, researchers also weighed reproductive organs and the kidney and liver. What did they find?

The mixture of DEHP, vinclozolin, prochloraz and finasteride, given at doses known to harm reproductive development, caused decreases in anogenital distance, increased prostate weights and retained nipples. The effects seen in relation to these conditions was additive and could be predicted given the responses observed when looking at the chemicals individually.

However, incidence of penis deformities were much stronger with the mixes than what would be predicted from the potency of the individual chemicals. For a significant number of rats, the penis opening was not at the tip, but was often located toward the base of the genitals.

Eek! A deformed rat penis!

When you think about how many supposedly ‘safe’ chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis, it seems like there is all manner of opportunity for harm. And just because your mom worked in a chemical factory/drank antifreeze/did other dumb shit when she was pregnant with you and you’re “fine” doesn’t mean anything (fine is relative).

Seriously, who wants to risk having a baby with penis deformities and other problems because we are all so apathetic about the chemicals that are absorbed by our bodies? Time to get serious about cutting chemicals out of your home, especially if you’re a woman of childbearing age.

(If you’re wondering how many times we can possibly make a South Park screen cap relevant to environmental news, the answer is: AN INFINITE NUMBER OF TIMES.)

Link [ENN]
Photo credit: South Park

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