Introduction

The hormones produced by the endocrine glands impact important biological processes, including growth and reproduction. As hormones are required in small amounts, even minor disruptions in their levels can have significant biological and developmental effects.

Hormone disruptors, also known as endocrine disruptors or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are natural or man-made chemicals present in various products used in daily life that interfere with, mimic, or block the hormones in our body. They disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system and harm human health.

Why should EDCs be of concern to us?

According to endocrinologists, a healthy endocrine system is crucial for normal reproduction and development. The increase in EDCs and their role in several metabolic disorders (diabetes), obesity, cancer, infertility and autism spectrum disorder (a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social communication) is of concern. EDCs can pass the placental barrier and pass from one generation to another. Moreover, EDCs do not just affect humans; they disturb ecosystems. Many EDCs do not degrade easily and remain in the environment for a long time.

Sources of EDCs

The sources of EDCs are industrial (perchlorates and dioxins); residential (phthalates and bisphenol A [BPA]); agricultural (organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines); pharmaceutical (parabens and diethylstilbestrol), phytoestrogens (genistein) and medical devices (BPA and phthalates).

EDCs are found in several everyday products, such as electronics, clothing, furniture, cleaning supplies (detergents and toilet and floor cleaners), personal care products (cosmetics, shampoos, moisturisers and conditioners), pesticides, herbicides, children’s toys, plastics, food storage containers, water bottles, drinking water and cash receipts.

Common EDCs found in everyday life

Pesticides and herbicides

Glyphosate is an active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides and exposure is linked to spontaneous abortion, obesity and behavioural and cognitive problems. The organochlorine insecticide DDT has been extensively used for insect control. The effects of its exposure are more prominent in foetuses and children, with urogenital effects such as cryptorchidism (undescended testes). Although banned in many countries, DDT is extensively used in India as an insecticide. It is a neurotoxin and has been linked to pre-term birth, breast cancer, low semen quality, irregular menstruation, and pregnancy loss. Other effects include increased risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Chlorpyrifos is used in nurseries, golf courses and water supplies to kill mosquito larvae and control household and agricultural pests. Chlorpyrifos is neurotoxic, causing attention problems and developmental delays. Herbicides such as atrazine are found in drinking water and affect the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, causing reproductive abnormalities and low sperm counts.

Plastics

BPA is commonly found in plastic containers. Although BPA has been banned in baby products (baby bottles), it continues to be used in plastic containers, water bottles and epoxy resins (used as an inner lining of canned food containers to prevent contamination). BPA leaches while heating/re-heating food in a microwave or exposure to acidic foods (tomatoes) or sunlight. It is associated with decreased egg viability and quality in patients undergoing fertility treatment.

Plastic wraps and food and beverage containers contain plasticiser phthalates that can leach into food or are released while microwaving containers. They interfere with testosterone production, which is crucial for male development (descent of the testis).

Cleaning Supplies

Solutions used to clean toilets or floors are known to contain EDCs. Nonylphenol ethoxylates is a potent EDC found in laundry detergents and all-purpose cleaners. Exposure causes early menstruation, poor reproductive health and low sperm count.

Personal Care Products

Cosmetics, shampoos, moisturisers and conditioners contain parabens used as a preservative to increase product shelf life. It mimics oestrogen and disrupts the functioning of the male and female reproductive systems. It affects hormone production and fertility. Its exposure also causes low sperm count and increases breast cancer risk. Triclosan is another EDC found in toothpaste. Its exposure is linked to low birth weight and increased risk of asthma, allergies and spontaneous abortion rates.

Flame Retardants

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used in mattresses and sofas to reduce flammability. However, these chemicals are known to interfere with thyroid functioning, which plays a crucial role in the development of the foetus and children. Another concern is that BFRs can move out of their products with time contaminating other items in the house, such as food and household dust.

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Routes of EDC exposure

Exposure to low doses of multiple EDCs occurs daily via air, soil, food, water, and skin. EDCs are present in breast milk and can cross the placental barrier. They are present in the environment and can travel long distances in the air. They can accumulate in many animals that humans consume.

Mechanisms of action

EDCs interfere with hormone action in the following ways:

• Blocking the pathway between the hormone and its receptor.
• Directly stimulating or inhibiting the gland by producing too much or too little hormone.
• Acting as a natural hormone mimic, causing the body to over-respond or respond at an appropriate time.

Health impacts

EDCs pose a significant threat to human health. They disturb homeostasis and interfere with hormone function, causing various diseases.

Obesity

The current obesity pandemic cannot be attributed to lifestyle choices and genetics alone; EDCs are considered a major contributing factor. EDCs can predispose humans to become obese despite healthy lifestyle choices as they impair adipose tissue regulation and decrease basal metabolic rate. EDCs that resist weight loss while on anti-obesity drugs are called obesogens, such as phthalates, BPA, and parabens. Obesogens induce an increase in adipocytes and fat storage to promote obesity. Peri-natal exposure to obesogens is linked to child obesity. Exposure to BPA can induce transgenerational inheritance (prevalence of obesity across multiple generations even without further BPA exposure).

Diabetes

Pre-natal EDC exposure can cause type 1 diabetes by increasing autoimmunity risk and impacting beta-cell (responsible for insulin production) development and function. BPA is known to impact beta-cell function and hamper insulin secretion, causing type 1 diabetes. Several obesogens such as BPA promote type 2 diabetes development via weight gain and insulin resistance.

Reproductive health

Gynaecologists believe, exposure to EDCs severely hampers reproduction health in men and women causing various disorders such as cryptorchidism, infertility, precocious puberty (early puberty), endometriosis (tissues that line the interior of the uterus grow outside), cancers, polycystic ovarian disease (multiple small cysts in the ovaries) and uterine fibroids (benign growth in the uterus during the reproductive years). Pre-natal exposure to anti-androgenic or oestrogenic activity (BPA, phthalates and diethylstilbestrol) hampers the secretion or action of testosterone and insulin-like peptide 3 involved in testicular descent, leading to cryptorchidism in the newborn.

Women given the oestrogen mimic diethylstilbestrol to prevent miscarriage causes cancer such as vaginal adenocarcinoma and genital malformations in children exposed in utero and breast cancer in women. BPA and phthalate exposure also cause low birth weight in the newborn. Phthalate exposure is also associated with pre-term birth.

Cancers 

Exposure to EDCs such as organochlorines, cadmium, dioxins and arsenic may cause cancers of the thyroid, uterus, prostate, skin and breast.

Other disorders 

Exposure to EDCs has been associated with disorders of the skin, kidney, liver, heart, lungs, brain and the immune system. For example, phthalates and parabens can interact with skin cells to cause skin disorders such as hyperpigmentation, ageing, cancer, allergic contact dermatitis and chloracne.

Pre-natal exposure to EDCs can cause neurodevelopmental disorders in the foetus. As the foetus relies on thyroid hormone supply via the placenta till the second trimester, thyroid imbalance in the mother can cause permanent neurodevelopmental disorders in children, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder (characterised by lack of focus, restlessness and impulsiveness) and behavioural and cognitive problems. Pre-natal exposure to organophosphate pesticides is associated with reduced intelligence quotient, behavioural problems and autism spectrum disorder.

Timing of EDC exposure 

The timing of EDC exposure plays a crucial role in human health. When pregnant women are exposed to EDCs (BPA, phthalates, flame retardants and parabens), the EDCs cross the placenta and harm the foetus. The foetus is sensitive to EDC exposure due to lack of a well-developed immune system and protective mechanisms, rapid cell division and differentiation, absence of a mature blood-brain barrier and increased metabolism. Depending on which organ system is affected, EDC exposure can cause various health issues such as obesity, heart disease or diabetes.

Dose and duration of exposure

There is no safe dose for EDC and data on long-term low-dose exposure is minimal. Large doses of several EDCs can be found in humans due to bioaccumulation (chemicals build up in a living organism over time) and bioamplification (a chemical’s concentration increases as it ascends the food chain).

Gender and EDC exposure

Gender may affect the health consequences of EDCs. BPA has specific behavioural effects in both boys and girls, with an increase in internalising behaviour (depression, anxiety and somatisation [psychological factors cause physical symptoms, for example, stress can cause nausea or headache]) in boys and an increase in externalising behaviour in girls (aggressiveness and hyperactivity).

Preventative measures to limit EDC exposure

EDC exposure cannot be eliminated in its entirety; however, efforts should be made to reduce the exposure in the following ways:

• Washing hands with scent-free soap before preparing or eating food. Avoid using non-stick cookware; choose cast iron or ceramic vessels. Limit the consumption of canned and processed foods.
• Removing shoes before entering the house
• Drinking filtered water to minimise the intake of phthalates
• Avoiding foods and beverages in plastic containers; prefer stainless steel, glass or ceramic containers. Use BPA-free containers to store food. Avoid heating food in plastic containers in the microwave Water in plastic bottles should be kept cool to prevent leaching of BPA.
• Using natural or organic cosmetics that are phthalate- and paraben-free
• Preferring eco-friendly cleaning products. One can use baking soda or vinegar for cleaning.
• Limiting the use of pesticides in farming and consuming organic food to reduce EDC ingestion
• Using alternatives to plastic toys
• Regularly ventilate homes to allow fresh air circulation. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth and vacuum the house with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.
• Educating the public on the health consequences of EDCs and encouraging them to adopt healthier and safer alternatives

Conclusion

EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system by blocking hormone production or acting as natural hormone mimics, contributing to human health problems. Exposure to EDCs, such as BPA, phthalates or pesticides, is associated with disorders of the nervous or reproductive systems. They can be particularly harmful to the developing foetus and children. The growing concern is that EDCs are present everywhere from toys to plastics, cosmetics and food and can harm every organ of our body. Increasing awareness of the harmful effects of EDCs will help consumers make informed choices on what they purchase and use daily. Minor changes in daily habits can profoundly reduce EDC exposure.

For expert guidance on reducing EDC exposure and safeguarding your health, consult the specialists at Kauvery Hospital. With branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, Kauvery Hospital offers comprehensive care and personalized health solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What are hormone disruptors (EDCs)?

Endocrine‑disrupting chemicals interfere with your natural hormones. You’ll find them in items like plastics, cosmetics, cleaning products and more.

Which everyday items contain EDCs?

Common sources include plastic bottles and wraps, canned‑food linings, personal‑care products (parabens, phthalates), cleaning detergents and even cash receipts.

How do EDCs affect my health?

They can upset hormone balance, raising risks of infertility, obesity, diabetes, developmental delays and certain cancers.

Who is most at risk from EDC exposure?

Pregnant women, babies and children are especially vulnerable because their bodies and organs are still developing.

What simple steps limit EDC exposure?

• Swap plastic containers for glass, stainless steel or ceramic
• Choose “phthalate‑free” and “paraben‑free” personal‑care items
• Filter your tap water and avoid heating food in plastic
• Use baking soda or vinegar instead of harsh chemical cleaners

Can small daily changes really make a difference?

Yes! Things like washing hands before meals, ventilating your home, and swapping to safer products all add up to significantly lower your EDC load.

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