A study reveals the relationship of toilet paper with low sperm count and testicular and kidney cancer

Previous studies have linked these chemicals, known as Polyfluoroalkyl Surfactants, or PFAS, which are synthetics that last for thousands of years, to certain cancers (such as testicular and kidney cancer) and even to lower sperm counts.

In the new study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, researchers discovered substances in toilet paper known as diPAPs, or perfluoroalkyl phosphonic acids.

These precursors have the potential to become different types of fluorescent surfactants, called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and are potentially carcinogenic.

This is not the first time that fluorescent surfactants (PFAS) have been detected in toilet paper. And last year, scientists found high levels of fluorine in four major brands.

The study's lead author, Dr Timothy Townsend, said: "Seeing this distinctive chemical that we've already seen in sewage sludge (a semi-solid left over from a wastewater treatment process), and also showing up in toilet paper, definitely indicates that this is another resource we need to address." Consider it when it comes to reducing the amount of fluorescent surfactants that enter the environment."

And when toilet paper is used, the chemicals seep into the sewage system forever.

In addition to some types of cancer, fluorescent surfactants have been linked to a myriad of other conditions including liver failure, thyroid disease, asthma, and decreased fertility.

Fluorosurfactants are commonly found in cosmetics and other personal care products, stain-resistant coatings on carpet and upholstery, insecticides, and firefighting foam.

The Florida research team, led by Dr. Townsend, an environmental engineering expert at the University of Florida, collected rolls of toilet paper sold in North, South and Central America, Africa and Western Europe, and samples of sewage sludge collected from wastewater treatment plants in the United States.

Next, they extracted the fluorescent surfactants from the paper and solid sludge in the wastewater and analyzed them for 34 chemical compounds.

The most prevalent among them was the chemical perfluoroalkyl phosphonic acids (diPAPs), which are precursors that can migrate to other cancer-causing fluorescent surfactants.

"Our results indicate that toilet paper should be considered as a potential major entry source for fluorescent surfactants in wastewater treatment systems," the researchers said.

The researchers then combined their findings with data from other studies that measured levels of fluorescent surfactants in wastewater and per capita toilet paper use in several countries. They concluded that toilet paper contributed about 4% of diPAPs in the United States and Canada, 35% in Sweden, and up to 89% in France.

"Despite the fact that North Americans use more toilet paper than people living in many other countries, the calculated percentages indicate that most fluorescent surfactants enter US wastewater systems from cosmetics, textiles, and packaging materials," the study said. food or other sources. Source: Daily Mail

Report: Half of humanity will be overweight or obese by 2035

In its latest report, published on Thursday 2 March, the Global Obesity Federation warns that more than half of the world's population (51%) will be overweight or obese by 2035.

While 2.6 billion people now fall into this category, the number is expected to exceed 4 billion in just 11 years if immediate steps are not taken to address the problem.

The World Obesity Atlas report, published by the International Obesity Federation, calls for taxes and restrictions on the production of "unhealthy" foods, as well as restrictions on the marketing of high-fat, high-salt and sugar products.

The federation insists that schools in particular should be required to serve healthy food, as obesity is rising fastest among children and adolescents.

In fact, the obesity rate among boys under the age of 18 is expected to rise by a whopping 100%. and girls the same age, an increase of 125%.

This would leave a total of 383 million people under the age of 18 globally at risk of many of the health problems associated with being overweight, more than double what is currently classified as overweight or obese.

Overweight or obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) value greater than 25 kg/m2.

The report warns that nine of the ten countries facing the greatest rise in obesity are poor or middle-income countries in Asia and Africa that are ill-equipped to deal with the problem, including the Central African Republic, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea and Somalia.

The report indicates that the rise in obesity rates will lead to a decrease in life expectancy and an increase in the burden of health care, as the union claims, warning that the global cost of rising obesity rates is expected to rise to $4.3 trillion by 2035, or the equivalent of 3% of GDP. global total. This number is roughly equal to the economic damage caused by governments' response to the "Covid-19" epidemic.

The costs associated with being overweight in the population depend on the extent to which high BMI values ​​contribute to the development of 38 diseases. These major comorbidities of obesity include various types of cancer to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease.

Aside from the costs that arise when dealing with these health conditions, unemployment, long-term disability, and early retirement are also associated with obesity and associated comorbid health conditions. Importantly, the global economic impact of obesity estimated in the Global Obesity Atlas report did not take into account how these factors may also increase national costs, indicating that the growing obesity epidemic is likely to be more costly than current estimates predict.

In addition to the wide availability and affordable prices of unhealthy processed foods, the Global Obesity Federation blames climate change, "Covid-19" policies, "new epidemics" and chemical pollutants for the world's increasing weight gain.

The report urges governments to develop "comprehensive national action plans" to prevent catastrophic obesity, similar to the World Health Organization's recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity.

Despite the many health and economic impacts associated with increasing obesity, there is still a lack of federal and international funding that prioritizes obesity prevention and treatment. Thus, there is an urgent need to increase public funding for related health priorities, which could be in the form of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks and addressing some of the many environmental factors that can similarly increase the risk of obesity.

An unexpected effect of coffee on those at risk of developing liver disease

The liver is an essential organ that performs many complex functions necessary to maintain general health.

In addition to detoxifying the blood, the liver plays a role in metabolism. The accumulation of fat in the liver can cause internal damage.

The accumulation of fat in the liver leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can cause scarring of the organ and reduce its function.

In the early stages, known as steatosis, fat is considered "harmless", according to the NHS.

However, when the liver is inflamed, the condition is described as "more serious". If inflammation persists, scar tissue can develop around the liver and nearby blood vessels.

After years of inflammation, the scarred, lumpy liver shrinks and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can lead to liver failure and liver cancer.

While the condition is largely asymptomatic in the early stages when scarring and inflammation occur, sufferers may experience:

Dull or aching pain in the upper right of the abdomen (on the lower right side of the ribs)

Unexplained weight loss

- Weakness

How to protect the liver

In the journal Clinical And Experimental Hepatology, researchers at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in India highlight the health benefits of coffee.

The authors noted in 2016 that “coffee consumption is beneficial for health in general, and liver health in particular.”

They said: "Coffee consumption is associated with improvement of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and GGTP), particularly in individuals at risk of developing liver disease."

Participants with previous liver disease appeared to benefit from coffee consumption.

Participants who drank more than two cups of coffee per day were less likely to develop cirrhosis and cirrhosis.

"The incidence of advanced fibrosis and liver cirrhosis is lower among coffee drinkers," the researchers explained.

The British Liver Trust warned: "Although drinking coffee may protect you against liver disease, there are other underlying factors."

And while drinking coffee can be beneficial for those "who already have some degree of liver damage, it's only one preventive measure."

Good liver health still hinges on "reducing the amount of alcohol we drink, eating a good diet, drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight."

The 2017 report, jointly hosted by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee and the British Liver Trust, looked at research in the region.

The researchers concluded that regular moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of liver disease.

Moderate coffee consumption is usually defined as three to five cups per day, based on the European Food Safety Authority's review of caffeine safety. Source: Express