双语：牙膏会让胎儿大脑受损？

According to a recent study, expectant mothers' exposure to high levels of a chemical, called triclosan which is used in toothpastes and soaps, may bring damage to their babies' brains。

In the study, tests on sheep showed triclosan interferes with an enzyme that allows the hormone oestrogen to circulate in the womb. Oestrogen helps to keep open the artery carrying oxygen-rich blood to the foetus. If there is too little, this artery narrows, starving baby's brain of the oxygen it needs to develop properly。

Triclosan is a powerful anti-bacterial that was developed nearly 50 years ago. It is now commonly used in everything from toothpastes to washing-up liquid。

In the UK, the chemical's maximum content allowed in any product is 0.3 percent, and drug giant GlaxoSmithKline has phased out the use of triclosan in its products. But it is still used in brands such as Colgate Total。

But a spokesman for the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Perfumery Association said the study in sheep did not prove the same effects would be seen in humans。

英国《每日邮报》11月30日报道，最新一项研究称，孕妇接触富含三氯苯氧氯酚的物质(三氯苯氧氯酚常用于制造牙膏以及肥皂)，将会对其腹中胎儿的大脑造成损伤。

该项研究中，通过对绵羊的测试发现，三氯苯氧氯酚会干扰某种可让雌激素在子宫内散播的酶发生作用。雌激素可使动脉血管扩张，含氧量高的血液得以流向胎儿。如果雌激素太少，动脉收缩，胎儿大脑会因供氧量不足而发育不全。

据了解，三氯苯氧氯酚是有效的除菌剂，早在50年前被人们开发出来。如今被广泛用于牙膏、洗液等日化用品。

目前在英国，三氯苯氧氯酚在产品中的最大含量不得超过0.3%，知名药品生产商葛兰素史克已经不再使用三氯苯氧氯酚，而另外一些品牌(比如高露洁)仍用其生产旗下产品。

但据化妆品香氛联合会的一位发言人称，该项以绵羊为实验对象的研究并不能证明这些研究结果在人类身上同样有效。 （实习编辑：顾萍）