House dust could spur growth of human fat cells, suggests study

House dust amounts of just three micrograms were shown to affect the cells -far lower than the mass of dust children are exposed to daily.

An estimated 50 milligrams of house dust is consumed every day by children, (Rex Features)

Small amounts of house dust containing compounds of environmental pollutants could be playing a role in the growth of fat cells.

Researchers from the American Chemical Society have found that compounds called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in house dust can spur fat cells to accumulate more fat.

In the study, fat cells accumulated an additional type of fat called triglycerides as a result of house dust being added to the lab petri dishes.

EDCs are synthetic or naturally occurring compounds that can replicate the body's hormones. Evidence from animal studies has also suggested that early life exposure to some EDCs can cause weight gain in later life.

EDCs are commonly found in consumer goods and eventually end up in indoor dust. House dust is then inhaled, ingested and absorbed through the skin.

An estimated 50 milligrams accumulaf house dust is consumed every day by children, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The researchers collected samples of indoor dust from 11 homes in North Carolina. Extracts from seven of the 11 dust samples triggered the fat cells to develop into mature fat cells and accumulate triglycerides. Only one of the dust samples had no effect.

In nine of the samples, the house dust spurred the cells to divide and by doing so, create a larger pool of precursor fat cells. The fat cells used in the study were mouse cell models which are frequently used to test compounds for potential effects on the accumulation of the triglyceride fats.

In the study house dust amounts of just three micrograms were shown to affect the cells -far lower than the mass of dust children are exposed to daily. The researchers suggest that exposure to the chemicals through house dust may disrupt metabolic health, particularly in children.

In one of the 44 house dust contaminants tested, a substance commonly found in plastics was found to have the strongest fat-producing effects.