"ScrAPES #13- Prenatal Chemical Exposure Linked to Obesity"

Podcast: Living on Earth Podcast, Prenatal Chemical Exposure Linked to Obesity, Start: 00:01    End: 05:39 

Topic: Toxic Chemicals 

Summary: 
     Pregnant women in the Cincinnati area, downstream from some Industrial dumping in the Ohio River, have high perfluorooctanoic acid, a toxic chemical, in their blood due to being exposed to contaminated water. It is still not definite how the women where exposed to the chemical, but studies are being conducted for possibility that it came from their diet. By having the perfluorooctanoic acid in their blood, it provides a higher risk for their born child to develop obesity or other types of diseases relating to obesity. This toxic plus other obesogens are effecting hormonal systems that involves with fetal growth. The levels of chemicals are decreasing because manufacturers are stoping the production of it; however, 90% of chemicals are still found in people. Concerns are that the chemicals will stay in our bodies for over three years due to how long chemicals can stay in the environment and in our body. Although there is uncertainty if the perfluorooctanoic acid or other obesogens cause the obesity epidemic in America, there are some chemical exposures that do increase body fat or the risk of obesity. 
     I chose this article because I wanted to learn more on how chemicals can affect our health. The  most interesting thing to me is learning about how chemicals can stay in our bodies for many years. I also found interesting that there are chemicals out there that do have effects on increasing our fat that can cause major problems in the future. 
    This podcast is important to environmental science because it shows the connection between obesity, genetics, and the environment. It shows how toxic chemicals can contaminate our waters, and have a later effect on our health. Our next step is to conduct more studies on the cause of obesity and try to reduce it. Now we need to figure out alternatives instead of using chemicals in our lives.