Chemicals are everywhere in our environment, affecting our health through various means such as food, air, or skin contact. A study conducted by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has shown that chemicals that occur in complex mixtures in humans can have a cumulative neurotoxic effect, even when their individual concentrations are below the effect threshold. The researchers used blood samples from pregnant women in the LiNA mother-child study to analyze the composition and concentration ratios of chemical mixtures present in the samples. Mass spectrometry analyses revealed around 300 chemicals in the plasma samples, providing insights into the complex mixtures that can influence health.
The researchers developed a prediction model to calculate the neurotoxic effects of the chemical mixtures and conducted laboratory experiments using human cells to test the predictions. The results confirmed that the effects of the chemicals in complex mixtures can add up, even when the individual concentrations are below the effect threshold. This highlights the importance of considering mixtures of chemicals in risk assessment, as indicator substances alone may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential health impacts. The study demonstrated that what is known about the effects of chemical mixtures in the environment also applies to humans, emphasizing the need to reevaluate risk assessment strategies and think in terms of mixtures when considering health impacts.
The study opened up new possibilities for researching the effects of complex chemical mixtures on human health by extracting and characterizing chemical mixtures from human samples. This approach, combined with cell-based biotest systems, allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how chemical mixtures can impact health. Future research projects will focus on refining the test method and investigating the effects of chemical mixtures on other health-relevant endpoints, such as immunotoxicity. Additionally, the researchers aim to explore possible links between chemical exposure and the development of developmental disorders in children, collaborating with experts from various fields to apply these methods in practice.
The findings of the study have significant implications for understanding the impact of chemical mixtures on human health. The researchers stress the importance of considering the cumulative effects of chemicals in complex mixtures, as even low concentrations of individual chemicals can have an impact when combined with others. This research contributes to a growing body of evidence linking chemical exposure to various health conditions, including allergies, immune system disorders, obesity, and developmental disorders. By studying the effects of chemical mixtures on human health, researchers can develop more effective risk assessment strategies and potentially mitigate the impacts of chemical exposure on public health.
