Plastic exposure may be linked to lifelong anxiety!

A new report from the Endocrine Society, and highlighted on ScienceDaily, reports that exposure to a common plastic chemical in an animal model was associated with lifelong anxiety. The specific chemical, called di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), is a type of “plasticizer” that is added to plastic products to make them bendable and flexible, including toys (that small children could put in their mouths), medical devices (tubing and masks), clothing (rainwear and footwear), food storage containers, and even some personal care products! Because it is not chemically bound to the plastic, it often leaches out over time. And what is absolutely concerning is the fact that from 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of anxiety disorders among those aged 10-24 years increased by 52%!! We must advocate for greater scrutiny of chemicals that come in to contact with humans and have the potential for very adverse physical and mental health effects. I discuss phthalates in detail in my book Optimized— the chapter on Chemicals, Drugs, and Toxins.