Câte minute de odihnă ne afectează substanțele toxice din plastic?

Recent research indicates that certain chemicals found in plastics can disrupt the circadian rhythm, delaying the body’s internal clock by up to 17 minutes. This disruption could lead to sleep disorders and increase the risk of health issues such as diabetes and cancer.

The circadian rhythm, also known as the body’s internal clock, regulates the sleep-wake cycle. According to the Sleep Foundation, this rhythm lasts slightly more than 24 hours, requiring daily adjustments of 12-18 minutes to stay synchronized with the Earth’s rotation. This adjustment relies on environmental cues, referred to as “zeitgebers” (German for “time keepers”). While light is the most significant zeitgeber, exercise and diet also play essential roles.

To mitigate the effects of jet lag and improve sleep quality, it is suggested to avoid caffeine before bedtime, exercise at appropriate times, and refrain from using the snooze button.

In their study, researchers extracted chemicals from PVC medical tubing and polyurethane hydration bags, analyzing their effects on human cells in vitro (not on living organisms). They specifically examined the impact on the adenosine receptor, a G-protein coupled receptor that regulates the circadian rhythm and signals the body when to wake up.

The findings revealed that exposure to these chemicals activates the receptor, hinderng its ability to transmit signals effectively. Consequently, this can lead to a delay in the internal clock ranging from 9 to 17 minutes, depending on the dosage. The authors liken this effect to that of caffeine; while caffeine deactivates the receptor, these plastic chemicals activate it.

Martin Wagner, a biology professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and author of the study, mentioned that although the effects are not as pronounced as caffeine, the chemicals act more rapidly on cellular processes than caffeine does on hormones. Although the full extent of the impact remains unclear, it could be significant.

Further research is necessary to fully understand how plastic affects the internal clock and to identify the specific chemicals responsible. The authors point out that while their study used extracts from plastics, it is known that these substances leach into the environment even under normal usage conditions.

Though in vitro studies can reliably indicate potential effects in humans (in vivo), more research is needed to determine if these results reflect actual exposure to plastic substances. The authors assert that their work adds to the growing evidence that plastics contain toxic compounds detrimental to human health. Rising incidences of cancer, obesity, diabetes, immune system dysfunction, and reproductive and developmental disorders have already been associated with plastic use.

The authors advocate for a fundamental change in the design and production of plastics to ensure safety. Reducing both the number and toxicity of chemicals in plastics could decrease exposure and lessen public health impacts.

The study was published in the journal Environmental International.

In addition to this research, related topics include why some individuals function well on as little as four hours of sleep, how sleep deprivation increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, potential links between infant sleep patterns and autism risk, and the benefits of even 15 extra minutes of sleep for young brains.