Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

485 'Inactive' Chemicals In US Pesticide Products Linked To Breast Cancer

A new study has identified 485 chemicals used in pesticide products in the US that are linked to breast cancer, raising new concerns about how these chemicals are assessed for safety against serious diseases.

The peer-reviewed research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, dug beyond the active ingredients in pesticides and examined the inactive ingredients that are often not subjected to the same level of safety scrutiny.

The study identifies chemicals associated with breast cancer risk. It does not establish that exposure to these pesticides causes breast cancer in people.

Of the 485 chemicals identified in pesticide formulations, only 145 were registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as active ingredients. The remaining chemicals were classified as inactive or 'inert' ingredients. These ingredients can serve different purposes, like helping <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fda-approves-new-breast-cancer-treatment-that-targets-resistance-before-cancer-progresses-article-156100654" data-type="tilCustomLink">pesticide</a> ingredients spread, penetrate surfaces or become more absorbed.

The researchers argue that focusing primarily on active ingredients may overlook risks from the complete pesticide formulation.

“Our findings highlight a regulatory blind spot around so-called inert ingredients,” lead author Dr Jennifer Kay of the Silent Spring Institute said in a research release.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fda-approves-new-drug-for-rare-disorder-that-turns-muscles-into-bone-what-is-fibrodysplasia-ossificans-progressiva-article-156235846" data-type="tilCustomLink">FDA Approves New Drug For Rare Disorder That Turns Muscles Into Bone: What Is Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva?</a>

An inert ingredient is generally considered 'inactive' as it does not target the pest the product is designed to kill. It does not mean that it has no biological effect on humans. According to the study's researchers, people are exposed to the entire pesticide formulation, not just the active ingredient in the pesticide. 

The researchers identified around 4,000 inert ingredients approved for use by the EPA, including some PFAS, commonly known as 'forever chemicals.'

Pesticide exposure is not limited to agricultural workers or people living near farms. The chemicals identified in the study can also occur in products used around homes, including lawn treatments, flea and tick products and lice treatments. Pesticides can also enter the environment through food and drinking water. 

The researchers found that 84 of the identified chemicals were detectable in the general US population based on data from the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-nhs-trust-to-review-4500-more-breast-cancer-cases-after-20-unnecessary-mastectomies-article-156219074" data-type="tilCustomLink">National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey</a>, although they said this likely underestimates exposure because many of the compounds are not routinely tracked.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/mpox-case-detected-in-congos-ituri-amid-ebola-outbreak-why-are-health-officials-concerned-article-156235757" data-type="tilCustomLink">Mpox Case Detected In Congo’s Ituri Amid Ebola Outbreak: Why Are Health Officials Concerned?</a>

<h2>Pesticides &amp; Breast Cancer Link </h2>

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The researchers classified chemicals based on existing evidence linking them to breast cancer. That is different from demonstrating that pesticide exposure directly causes <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/tahira-kashyap-updates-on-her-cancer-relapse-why-do-some-cancers-come-back-article-151376655" data-type="tilCustomLink">breast cancer</a> in humans.

Breast cancer is a complex disease that involves multiple genetic, hormonal, environmental and lifestyle factors.

The study does, however, raise a question about whether the combined exposure to multiple chemicals is adequately considered during pesticide safety assessments. 

The researchers noted that the EPA generally evaluates individual pesticide ingredients rather than the entire formulation or people's exposure to multiple pesticides. 

The research comes as breast cancer rates, including among younger women, continue to rise in the US. According to the American Cancer Society data cited by The Guardian, breast cancer incidence has been increasing by about 1% a year, with a slightly faster increase among women under 50.

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A new study has identified 485 chemicals used in pesticide products in the US that are linked to breast cancer, raising new concerns about how these chemicals are assessed for safety against serious diseases.The peer-reviewed research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, dug beyond the active ingredients in pesticides and examined the inactive ingredients that are often not subjected to the same level of safety scrutiny. The study identifies chemicals associated with breast cancer risk. It does not establish that exposure to these pesticides causes breast cancer in people.What Did The Researchers Find?Of the 485 chemicals identified in pesticide formulations, only 145 were registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as active ingredients. The remaining chemicals were classified as inactive or 'inert' ingredients. These ingredients can serve different purposes, like helping pesticide ingredients spread, penetrate surfaces or become more absorbed.The researchers argue that focusing primarily on active ingredients may overlook risks from the complete pesticide formulation.“Our findings highlight a regulatory blind spot around so-called inert ingredients,” lead author Dr Jennifer Kay of the Silent Spring Institute said in a research release.Also read: FDA Approves New Drug For Rare Disorder That Turns Muscles Into Bone: What Is Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva? What Does “Inert” Mean?An inert ingredient is generally considered 'inactive' as it does not target the pest the product is designed to kill. It does not mean that it has no biological effect on humans. According to the study's researchers, people are exposed to the entire pesticide formulation, not just the active ingredient in the pesticide. The researchers identified around 4,000 inert ingredients approved for use by the EPA, including some PFAS, commonly known as 'forever chemicals.' Pesticide Exposure Pesticide exposure is not limited to agricultural workers or people living near farms. The chemicals identified in the study can also occur in products used around homes, including lawn treatments, flea and tick products and lice treatments. Pesticides can also enter the environment through food and drinking water. The researchers found that 84 of the identified chemicals were detectable in the general US population based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, although they said this likely underestimates exposure because many of the compounds are not routinely tracked.Also read: Mpox Case Detected In Congo’s Ituri Amid Ebola Outbreak: Why Are Health Officials Concerned? Pesticides & Breast Cancer Link                The researchers classified chemicals based on existing evidence linking them to breast cancer. That is different from demonstrating that pesticide exposure directly causes breast cancer in humans.Breast cancer is a complex disease that involves multiple genetic, hormonal, environmental and lifestyle factors.The study does, however, raise a question about whether the combined exposure to multiple chemicals is adequately considered during pesticide safety assessments. The researchers noted that the EPA generally evaluates individual pesticide ingredients rather than the entire formulation or people's exposure to multiple pesticides. The research comes as breast cancer rates, including among younger women, continue to rise in the US. According to the American Cancer Society data cited by The Guardian, breast cancer incidence has been increasing by about 1% a year, with a slightly faster increase among women under 50. 

485 'inactive' chemicals in us pesticide products linked to breast cancer

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485 'Inactive' Chemicals In US Pesticide Products Linked To Breast Cancer

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485 'Inactive' Chemicals In US Pesticide Products Linked To Breast Cancer

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