Topics
metabolic disruptor
February 5, 2026
Scientists review evidence of metabolism-disrupting chemicals; focus on BPS, DINP, PFOA, and micro- and nanoplastics; apply the key characteristics framework; show that focusing only on genotoxicity can lead to regrettable substitution; argue for group-based approaches to regulating chemicals
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 24, 2024
A recent study explores the diversity of chemicals migrating from food contact articles into food simulants; 73% of extractable chemicals also migrated to food simulants; only 2% could be matched to currently known plastic chemicals; all migrates activated nuclear receptors, may disrupt metabolism or the endocrine system; migrates from PUR, PVC and LDPE contained more chemicals than other tested polymers and were more toxic
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 20, 2024
New study examines long-term effects of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics on mitochondrial health under realistic exposure conditions; repeated exposure to PS nanoplastics impaired mitochondrial function and cell differentiation process, possibly linked to metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity; other recent studies found that PS micro- and nanoplastics negatively affect immune function, pregnancy outcomes, and gut health in various models
Reading time: 3 minutes
March 22, 2024
Two studies investigating chemicals from retail plastic food contact articles find considerable variability in complexity, with subsequent effects on cell-based tests of hormone disruption; many more chemicals measured from PVC and polyurethane than other polymers though the chemical mixtures from majority of the plastic samples are hormone disrupting; further evidence of PVC and PUR can interfere with GPCR-based cell communication
Reading time: 3 minutes
October 29, 2019
Ana Soto presents biological mechanisms underlying non-monotonic dose-responses, explains why non-monotonicity is ‘useful to organisms, challenging for regulators,’ discusses CLARITY-BPA’s successes and limitations
Reading time: 3 minutes
November 23, 2018
Meta-analysis of epidemiological studies finds positive association between BPA exposure and type 2 diabetes risk
Reading time: 1 minute
August 15, 2018
U.S. researchers discuss contribution of exposure to endocrine disruptors to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes
Reading time: 1 minute
May 28, 2018
Podcast highlights role of obesogenic chemicals in obesity epidemic with leading scientist in the field; other academics remain skeptical of impact of obesogens
Reading time: 1 minute
March 13, 2018
Prof. Dr. Bruce Blumberg discusses chemicals that can interfere with the body’s fat metabolism in webinar hosted by Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) on March 21, 2018
Topics: events, metabolic disruptor
Reading time: 1 minute
February 16, 2018
Several alternative plasticizers used in FCMs shown to promote lipid accumulation in vitro; direct activation of PPARγ suggested as possible mechanism
Reading time: 2 minutes
