Plastic again
April 23, 2013 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring
Dear Dr. Höllering,
Do you remember my inquiry yesterday about pollutants in plastic shoes? Your response immediately convinced me - rubbing on plastic for 2 minutes cannot be that bad. I was reassured and could sleep well.
However, today the peace was gone, as I have now realized that I have been walking around the house with the China plastic shoes for 5-6 years (not 2 years, as I initially thought). I am now afraid that over the years I may have absorbed significant amounts of pollutants through the skin. I usually wore socks, but at least 10 minutes a day I also spent barefoot in the plastic parts (going to shower, getting out of the bathtub, etc.). When it was very hot in the summer, I sometimes spent most of the day barefoot in the shoes.
Now the fear is even greater than yesterday, that I may have absorbed a carcinogenic dose.
How do you assess the situation?
Best regards,
Roland
Good evening,
yes, I remember your question from yesterday.
When the first Chinese counterfeits of "Crocs" appeared, they were examined for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and occasionally slightly elevated values were found. However, this was in reference to the very strict standards in the USA. In Germany, there are no set limits yet.
Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can be absorbed through the skin and may promote cancer development, it is extremely unlikely that you have been exposed to a measurable increased risk. The duration of exposure is still too short.
An increased cancer risk is also relative: eating spicy food increases the risk of stomach cancer, and yet we still enjoy it (usually without consequences). Sun exposure can promote melanoma, alcohol consumption can increase the risk of breast cancer... And yet, we do not need to constantly worry because things usually turn out fine as long as we are not excessively reckless. The significantly increased cancer risk of nicotine, on the other hand, is still often ignored by many.
Your slightly increased risk, if any, is negligible to non-existent. You should also sleep well tonight!
Warm regards, Dr. Höllering
