Household chemicals linked to neurological conditions

Neurological conditions affect many people daily, but only a few can be attributed to genetics. So, what other environmental factors contribute to this? 

Researchers reveal the hazards presented by common household chemicals on brain health. The study published in Nature Neuroscience shows how chemicals found in everyday items, ranging from furniture to personal care products, could be linked to neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and autism spectrum disorders.

Do certain chemicals have an impact on the brain

Led by principal investigator Paul Tesar, the team looked into the mechanisms underlying neurological diseases. Revealing a previously unrecognised risk factor, certain chemicals’ have harmful effects on oligodendrocytes, specialised cells crucial for nerve cell protection.

Tesar, Dr Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman, Professor of Innovative Therapeutics and director of the Institute for Glial Sciences at the School of Medicine, emphasised, “Loss of oligodendrocytes underlies multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases. 

“We now show that specific chemicals in consumer products can directly harm oligodendrocytes, representing a previously unrecognised risk factor for neurological disease.”

The most harmful chemicals commonly encountered by humans

The study focused on over 1,800 chemicals commonly encountered by humans, pinpointing two classes, organophosphate flame retardants and quaternary ammonium compounds, as particularly harmful. 

Quaternary ammonium compounds, everywhere in personal care and disinfectant products, and organophosphate flame retardants, prevalent in electronics and furniture, were found to affect oligodendrocytes.

Lead author Erin Cohn, a Medical Scientist Training Program graduate student, highlighted, “Understanding human exposure to these chemicals may help explain a missing link in how some neurological diseases arise.”

The research team showed the damaging effects of these chemicals on oligodendrocytes in the developing brains of mice and even linked exposure to adverse neurological outcomes in children.

The link between chemicals and neurological health

With the widespread use of disinfectants and personal care products growing since the COVID-19 pandemic, this investigation shows that the association between these chemicals and neurological health needs further investigation. 

Tesar emphasised, “Our findings suggest that more comprehensive scrutiny of the impacts of these common household chemicals on brain health is necessary.”

This research helps amplify the importance of informed decisions to minimise chemical exposure and protect human health.