Description of the Analysis Kit

Using just a singlestrand of hair, it is possible to assess youraverage exposure to pollutantsover the 3 months prior to the sample collection. This is because, as hair grows, it is supplied with blood through the blood vessels at the root and incorporates the pollutants to which the body is exposed. Since the rate of hair growth is known (approximately 1 cm per month), analyzing the first 3 centimeters of hair that have been cut is sufficient to provide a quarterly exposure assessment.

This testing kitmeasures your exposure to 12 plasticizers and 8 pesticides. The hair sampling device isvery easy to use. Once collected and returned, the hair sample isanalyzed in a laboratory to identify and quantify the pollutantspresent in it. In the absence of guideline values,the results are compared to human exposure statisticsestablished by Kudzu Science.

Plasticizers

The scale of plastic pollutionis now widely recognized and frequently covered in the media. One of the issues with this pollution concerns the additives used to meet the needs of manufacturers and consumers. These additives are used to modify mechanical properties, particularly to make plastics more flexible and durable.

Ubiquitous in our environment, plastic additives (plasticizers) fall into several chemical families,the most common of whichare phthalates and bisphenols. Since they are not chemically bonded to the polymer, they caneasily leach into the environment and into materials that come into contact with the plastic. The degradation of plastic accelerates this process (heat, solar radiation, abrasion).

Pesticides

Also ubiquitous in our environment, pesticides are now a major public health concern. Exposure to pesticides occurs mainlythrough ingestion and inhalation, but also throughhousehold activities(use of mosquito repellents, treating pets, etc.) andthe air we breathe(agricultural spraying, contamination of homes, etc.). If you live nearagricultural areas(fields, vineyards, orchards, etc.), you may be exposed to pesticides, which can be carried by the windfor several kilometers beyond the application area.

Furthermore,sources of non-agricultural pesticide emissions are widely underestimated.Wooden structures(roof trusses, antique wooden furniture, etc.) are treated to prevent damage from mold or insects.Insecticidessuch as mosquitorepellents,veterinary products(anti-parasitictreatments),mite treatments, and evenplant protection productssuch as herbicides or insecticides sold in supermarkets and garden centers only add to the list of pollutants surrounding us.

Sincepesticides found indoorsare not subject to the same weather conditions and biological degradation as those outdoors, theytend to accumulate indoors. Most of them are toxic, andchronic exposure—even at low concentrations—poses health risks (effects on development and reproduction, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, etc.). If your home or workplace is contaminated, you may be inhaling these chemicals while you’re there.

Endocrine Disruptors

Exposure to these substances occurs primarily through ingestion (water and food that have come into contact with plastic) and through inhalation of airborne dust: these molecules are not very volatile at room temperature and attach themselves to dust particles, the finest of which enter the body through the lungs. Phthalates are the primary organic pollutants in household dust.

These substances are recognized by national (ANSES) and European (ECHA) health authorities for their endocrine-disrupting properties, and several are classified as chemicals toxic to reproduction and substances of very high concern (SVHCs).

Endocrine disruptors alter the body’s functioningby affecting the production, transport, and expression of hormones, which act as the body’s chemical messengers. These molecules are present in the body at very low concentrations, and the cells’ hormone receptors are highly sensitive. Endocrine disruptors can act at very low doses by mimicking or blocking the action of natural hormones.In practical terms, the mere presence of an endocrine disruptor can affect the functioning of the exposed organism. Several scientific studies suggest strong links to chronic diseases such as hormone-dependent cancers (breast, ovarian, testicular, and thyroid), precocious puberty, reduced fertility, diabetes, and obesity.

Would you like to assess your chronic exposure to plasticizers and pesticides? Do you live near farmland? Does your home contain structural and/or decorative materials made of solid wood or PVC? Has your home been treated for pests? Do you have pets that you treat with pest control products?

This kit will allow you to test for the presence of 20 potential endocrine disruptors in your body all at once.

Plasticizers and pesticides can cause numerous health problems. Chronic exposure can have consequences for your health, which is why it’s important to know your level of exposure.

Would you like to measure only your exposure to plasticizers or pesticides? Check out our separate kits:Hair Pesticide KitandHair Plastic Pollution Kit

You can also measure your exposure to endocrine disruptors with our Wristband Pack.

• Phthalates

  Phthalates are the primary plasticizers used. These chemicals are used to soften or plasticize materials (without phthalates, plastics would be brittle and less durable). They can account for up to 50% of a plastic’s mass and are ubiquitous in our daily lives: clothing, toys, paints, cosmetics, and more.

• Bisphenols

This family of additives is also widely used in industrial plastic manufacturing (as a monomer in polycarbonate and as an additive in epoxy resins). The following bisphenols are analyzed:Bisphenol-A(BPA), Bisphenol-F (BPF), and Bisphenol-S (BPS).

-BPAis classified as a substance of very high concern due to its reproductive toxicity and endocrine-disrupting properties. Food was the primary source of BPA exposure for the general population, mainly through the inner lining of food cans. In France, its use is prohibited in baby bottles and all food containers. It was also widely used in the printing of receipt paper, but this use has also been banned (since 2020).

-BPFis also banned for use in food containers but continues to be used in thermal printing paper.

-BPSis the only bisphenol that remains authorized for use in food containers. As a result, its use has skyrocketed since the BPA ban, even though there is no evidence that it is less toxic than BPA (many studies conclude that it is just as much an endocrine disruptor as BPA).

• Insecticides
  -Fipronil: This substance, classified asa possible carcinogenby the U.S. EPA and asan endocrine disruptoraccording to The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, hasantiparasitic and insecticidal properties. Previously used in agriculture (seed coating) to control insect pests, it is nowbanned for this purposein most European countries because it is accused of contributing to bee mortality. However, it is authorized fortreating petsagainst fleas and ticks, which explains why it can be found in homes and, consequently, inhaled or ingested. In 2017, a scandal involving the contamination of chicken eggs with fipronil broke out in Europe.
  -Permethrin: It is found ininsecticide products sprayed directly onto clothing and mosquito nets, in anti-lice shampoos, and in pet treatments (such asfleatreatments, except for cats, which are particularly sensitive to it). It is also used asa soil treatment around homes to control termites orasa spray against other insects(wasps, ants, etc.). Permethrin is highly toxic (neurotoxic) to many animals, but its toxicity to humans has not yet been officially assessed. It is classified asan endocrine disruptor by the University of Hertfordshire.

• Fungicides
  -Tebuconazole: The use of tebuconazole is authorized in Europe forvineyards and field crops such as grains, vegetables, and fruit trees. It is also used as a biocide toprotect coatings, wood, and building materials. Tebuconazole is classified asa possible carcinogenby the U.S. EPA and may haveneurotoxic effects, primarily on developing fetuses.

You can find more detailed information on the pages for each of the kits:Plastic Pollution in HairandPesticides in Hair. 

List of Analyzed Compounds