Aging: the invisible role of plastics

What is aging

Aging is an ineluctable reality of life. Isn’t aging growing old?   Indeed, aging enables development and growth. Aging can be defined as the time-related deterioration of the physiological functions necessary for survival and fertility.

Aging is a process accompanied by reproductive and growth changes. These changes are accompanied by concomitant hormonal dynamics. The hormones are sensitive to both exogenous and endogenous triggers. As such aging process is not homogenous across human populations and geographical locations. For instance, researchers have reported early sexual debut and maturation in some human populations. In fact, the aging process can also vary within the same family depending on lifestyle and prevailing environmental variables. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies positive sexual health and healthy views of one’s sexuality as imperative for physical and mental well-being.

It has been observed that in Europe and North America, sexual initiation often occurs during adolescence and can be a marker and a predictor of risks such as coercion or abuse, inconsistent use of contraception, increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancy, substance abuse, subsequent sexual violence, or increased numbers of sexual partners. If plastics interfere with hormones and induce early sexual debut, then what is considered as de novo sexual debut may occur with the mentioned consequences. Importantly, timing of sexual debut is heavily influenced by personal and social circumstances and, particularly, parenting and education.

 

Plastics can interfere with aging by accelerating hormone responses, reproduction, and early onset of menopause and andropause. Andropause relates to the slow but steady reduction of the production of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in middle-aged men, and the reasons for that reduction include a decrease in Leydig cells. It is often referred to as late-onset hypogonadism, male menopause, male climacteric andropause, or viropause. Endocrine disrupting hormones found in plastics may create the homeostatic milieu and drivers for early andropause. In contrast to menopause in women, however, the reproductive capability is preserved even though there is a decline in sexual performance capacity as well as libido with increasing age.

Hypogonadism in males is defined as a state of reduced testosterone and its sequelae that are identified by below-normal testosterone blood levels (normal total testosterone levels range from 300–1000 ng/dL). Low testosterone levels can result in defective primary or secondary sexual development among children and young adults, as well as withdrawal effects among older adults. The term hypogonadism is usually applied to permanent rather than transient or reversible defects and implies deficiency of reproductive hormones with or without defects in fertility. In primary hypogonadism, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are usually elevated, suggesting a primary defect with the testes whereas in secondary or central hypogonadism, LH and FSH levels are normal or low, suggesting the problem is in the pituitary gland.

Consequently, the aging patterns are rapidly evolving with loss of de novo developmental processes. Aging in the contemporary settings therefore pose a challenge to the health service providers and human development related service providers.  

How plastics accelerate aging

Since the use of plastics is widespread, there is the exposure to plastics that accompany their applications. Many users of plastics are oblivious of the nocuous impacts of the EDCs that are incorporated within plastics. As such, the institutions that are required to enforce plastic use legislation have no policing from the public and other non-state stakeholders.

Studies have shown that plastics contain endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). These are environmentally derived substances that induce neuroendocrinological disorders. Examples of such substances include plasticizers, phthalates, fire retardants, persistent organic pollutants etc. Since these chemicals are not bound to the plastic monomer they easily leach and migrate in different temperature and biochemical regimes.  These chemicals alter the hormonal balance of the body via several mechanisms; they can mimic hormones, disrupt hormone synthesis or breakdown, alter the development of hormone receptors, act as hormone antagonists or alter hormone binding.

Environmental EDCs are mostly generated during the fabrication and application of human-made materials such as pesticides, plastics, electronic wastes, flame-retardants, metals, food additives, and household products. These EDCs can disrupt hormonal homeostasis and consequently result in several pathologies, including developmental and reproductive abnormalities, increased prevalence of hormone-responsive malignancies, neurodevelopmental delays and abnormal growth patterns in children, and alterations in immune function.

 

 

Can we prevent plastics driven aging

Plastics are a leading problem to all sectors and across the world. There is too much plastic in the environment, with concentration increasing exponentially in the air, water, soil and food. Attempts to control plastic fabrication and use have not abated the plastic problem situation. This is compounded by the central role that plastics play in manufacturing of essential goods, in entertainment and packaging. Given their applications, plastics occupy the backbone of many economies. It is undoubtable that plastic processing, use and waste management create employment and supports livelihoods.

Plastics are highly versatile such that they constitute waste and are used to manage waste. Plastics cannot be phased out through banning of their use. Alternative materials can however be used such as chitin and hemp. Such materials are ecofriendly and readily available. Awareness creation and sensitization on the health risks associated with plastics can increase compliance with legislative prescriptions for plastic abatement. Studies have shown that many attempts by state agencies to enforce plastic remediation legislation have completely failed to make any impact. Reducing plastics in the environment is the most cost-effective method of combating plastic pollution. Reduction can be through reduced manufacturing as well as recycling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recommended further reading

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