'Controversial study claims to have found a link between wearing make-up during pregnancy and lower IQ scores in children.
'The study focuses on phthalate chemicals found in make-up. US study found exposure to the highest levels of two phthalate chemicals led to a lowering of IQ scores at age seven by more than six points.
'Researchers in the New York investigated four phthalates and demonstrated an association with two, known as DnBP and DiBP.
'Phthalates are man-made chemicals thought to interfere with hormones. They can be found in a wide range of consumer products including dryer sheets, vinyl fabrics, lipstick, hairspray, nail polish and some soaps.
'The scientists claim the link remained after taking account of known factors that can influence child IQ, such as the mother's intelligence and the quality of the home environment. Study only looked at 328 cases, and further studies need to be carried out on larger groups to confirm results.
'The scientists assessed the pthalate exposure of 328 New York City women and their children, all of whom were from low-income communities.
'Break down chemicals from the compounds left after they had been processed in the body were measured in urine samples during the last three months of pregnancy.
'Children of mothers whose exposure to DnBP and DiBP was in the top 25 per cent had IQ scores 6.6 and 7.6 points lower, respectively, than those of mothers exposed to the lowest concentrations.
'Associations were also seen for specific aspects of IQ, such as perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed.
None of the women had been exposed to unusual levels of the chemicals, the researchers said, whose findings were reported in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.
Culled from UK Mailonlne
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