News

Talk about a green thumb! In a recent study involving SWEHSC member Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta, PhD, researchers sampled date palm leaves from Ahvaz city, Iran, to test for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the environment. Plants are increasingly being used as bioindicators to detect environmental contaminants like heavy metals. Date palms are becoming a popular candidate because their unique mesh-like structure is well suited for capturing heavy metal deposits.

Toxicological Sciences has showcased a publication by center member Zelieann Craig, PhD, in their featured Tox Spotlight! Craig’s study found that exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) – a common ingredient in many personal care products and medications – disrupts follicular reproductive cycles by interfering with the hormone signaling in the ovary responsible for growth, development, and repair. For this reason, exposure to DBP could ultimately lead to reduced fertility and decreased egg number and quality in women.