Philippa Darbre of the University of Reading, England, has published a review of the putative health effects of organometallic compounds that mimic estrogen and could increase the burden of “aberrant oestrogen signalling within the human breast”. Of particular relevance to public health is her suggestion that the aluminum compounds used in the manufacture of underarm antiperspirants may somehow be involved in an increased risk of breast cancer. The paper is already causing a stir in the UK, however, it is also causing controversy particularly because it does not represent any new experimental evidence but draws new conclusions from other studies.
You can read the full story in Issue 53 of chemistry webzine Reactive Reports, out now!!!