A Chemical That Sabotages Your Diet

Obesity rates started rising just as the use of industrial chemicals took off 40 years ago. Now scientists say a chemical called tributyltin (TBT) that’s used to make wood preservatives, insecticides, fungicides, and construction products may be partly responsible for the weight gain.

TBT seems to activate hormones and genes that lead your body to store fat. TBT is also found in some polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics used to make credit cards, food packaging, shower curtains, and toys. The good news: Its use is on the decline.