With several US senators calling for changes in the way chemicals are regulated in the US marketplace to better protect children, workers and consumers, new research heightens concerns about a common chemical found in everyday plastics.

The finding comes on the heels of research linking phthalates to reproductive abnormalities in humans. Male babies of pregnant women who used beauty products containing phthalates were found to have smaller genitals, according to recent research at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Researchers in Indiana State’s life sciences department found that injecting mice with phthalates triggered lupus, caused development of glomerulonephritis, and considerably shortened the lifespans of mice that had a genetic disposition to the disease. However, the injections did not have the same effect in mice that were not predisposed to lupus.

Lupus More Common in Women

“Our findings clearly show that lupus can be caused by an environmental factor like phthalate, which is present in toys, in many other plastic products -- including PVC pipes and medical devices -- and in beauty products,” said Swapan K. Ghosh, professor and interim chair of life sciences.

In lupus, the immune system attacks its own body’s tissues as though they were foreign substances. The disease can lead to problems with the heart, kidneys, lungs or blood cells.

"Lupus-type auto-immunity is five times more common in women than in men," said So-Yon Lim, who worked with Ghosh on the study while completing a PhD in life sciences at Indiana State. "Is that because women use a lot more cosmetics and perfumes than men?" she speculated.

Genetic Testing?

While studies of the lupus-associated anti-DNA antibody have been limited to mice, there are indications humans also could be susceptible, Ghosh said.

"The antibody that is produced in response to injection of phthalate compounds actually has reactivity to self DNA. Some human blood cell-types are also potentially susceptible, but further study is required," he said.

Given the widespread use of phthalates, more extensive research is warranted, with particular attention to the prevalence of lupus in areas where plastics and beauty products are manufactured, Ghosh said.

"We want to find out whether this really is a matter of great potential health hazard or whether it is something that could be moderated," he noted, suggesting genetic testing one day might be required for workers in the plastics industry.