Beyond BPA: What Are Endocrine Disruptors and How Do They Affect Your Health?
Endocrine disruptors are sneaky chemicals that interfere with the body's endocrine (hormone) system. You can find them in many everyday things like plastic containers, makeup, perfumes, shampoos, and scented candles. These chemicals are bad news because they're linked to a wide range of health problems.
Endocrine disruptor chemicals can bind to a receptor, preventing the natural hormones from binding and changing their effect on the body. (figure 1)
Effects on Hormones & Fertility
For women, these disruptors can mess up important hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which you need for ovulation and regular periods. This can lead to irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, and other fertility issues (4)(5)(6). For men, these chemicals can impact testosterone, which can lead to reduced sperm count and motility, as well as other fertility problems (5). Endocrine disruptors can also affect the development of a fetus. Exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy has been linked to a variety of health problems in infants and children, including birth defects, developmental delays, and other health problems (7)(10).
Effects on Metabolic Health
But it doesn't stop there. These chemicals can also impact your metabolic health, which is all about how your body produces energy. They can contribute to weight gain, mess with your blood sugar, throw off your gut microbiome and even contribute to metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that put you at risk for heart disease and diabetes. So, it's really important to know about these chemicals and try to avoid them as much as possible to keep your body healthy.
What Products Contain Endocrine Disruptors?
Understanding these disruptors and where they’re found empowers us to make informed decisions about the products we use daily. By choosing alternatives and reading labels carefully, we can reduce our exposure and protect our health. Let's look at some of the most common endocrine disruptors, their sources, and why they're concerning.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Sources: BPA is primarily found in plastic bottles, certain food packaging, and surprisingly, even in some thermal paper receipts.
Why It's Concerning: BPA can mimic the hormone estrogen in our body. Continuous exposure can lead to hormonal imbalances, potential fertility issues, and other health concerns. Due to rising awareness, many companies now offer "BPA-free" products, but it's always crucial to check labels.
Phthalates
Sources: These chemicals are present in many personal care products that have artificial scents. Think about the perfumes you spritz, the nail polish you apply, hairspray, and candles.
Why It's Concerning: Phthalates have been linked to hormone changes, reduced sperm count, and developmental issues, especially in children. When shopping for personal care items, seek products labeled as "phthalate-free."
Parabens
Sources: A common ingredient used as a preservative, parabens can be found in shampoos, lotions, deodorants, and many other personal care products.
Why It's Concerning: Parabens can penetrate the skin and act like a very weak estrogen in the body, potentially turning on the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. As a result, there's been a push towards paraben-free products in recent years.
Pesticides
Sources: These chemicals ensure our crops are insect-free, but they come with potential risks. They are present in insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
Why It's Concerning: Many pesticides have been linked to developmental issues in children, hormonal imbalances, and even certain cancers. It's wise to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, and whenever possible, opt for organic produce that's grown without synthetic pesticides.
Flame Retardants (PBDEs)
Sources: To reduce the risk of fire, flame retardants are used in various household items, including furniture, mattresses, and some electronics.
Why It's Concerning: Flame retardants can disrupt thyroid function, cause memory and learning problems, and even lead to decreased fertility. They can linger in the environment and our bodies for long periods. It's beneficial to research products before purchasing and lean towards those without flame retardants or those that use safer alternatives.
Heavy Metals
Sources: Lead, mercury, and arsenic can be found in old paint, certain fish, and more.
Concerns: These metals can cause significant health issues, from cognitive impairments to organ damage.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Sources: Generated by burning, PAHs are in charred foods and exhaust fumes.
Concerns: Known to be carcinogenic, reducing exposure to charred foods and polluted air is wise.
Soft Plastics
Sources: Beyond BPA and phthalates, plastics include various chemicals found in soft plastics and vinyl.
Concerns: Plastics can leach chemicals into food and drinks, particularly when heated, urging caution with their use.
Dioxins and PCBs
Sources: These chemicals can accumulate in meats and dairy through environmental contamination.
Concerns: Linked to cancer and reproductive issues, minimizing consumption of contaminated foods is recommended.
Polyfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)
Sources: Used to make non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics.
Concerns: Associated with various health issues, choosing alternatives to non-stick and stain-resistant products is safer.
Reducing Dietary Exposures
Your diet is a major pathway for exposure to these toxins. Here are some steps to minimize the risk:
Opt for organic and lean animal products to avoid pesticides and certain fats that store toxins. Look up foods on EWG’s food guide to learn about their pesticide exposure.
Use cooking methods that minimize charring and allow fats to drip away.
Be cautious with freshwater fish and avoid farmed salmon to dodge PCBs and dioxins.
Steer clear of high-fructose corn syrup and certain syrups to reduce arsenic exposure.
Avoid non-stick pots and pans.
Prefer glass or stainless steel for food storage and avoid heating food in plastic.
Reducing Home & Office Exposures
Your living spaces can also be hotspots for toxic exposures:
Test your water and consider a filter if needed to remove heavy metals and other contaminants.
Let tap water run in the morning to flush out any metals that might have leached from the pipes overnight.
Consider air and shower water filters to reduce exposure to airborne toxins and chlorine.
Opt for furniture and construction materials that don't release harmful chemicals like formaldehyde or flame retardants.
Take off your shoes at the door. They can carry toxins (organophosphates) and germs from the outdoors into your home.
Use the stove fan on high when cooking to effectively remove cooking fumes and reduce indoor air pollutants, ensuring a healthier kitchen environment.
Personal and Healthcare Choices
The products you use on your body and for your health can also contribute to your toxic load:
Stay hydrated and moderate alcohol intake to help your body naturally detoxify.
Choose personal care products wisely, looking for unscented options without harmful additives.
Discuss dental filling materials with your dentist to avoid mercury exposure.
At Work and in Hobbies
Be mindful of exposures through work or hobbies:
Familiarize yourself with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for any chemicals you use.
Use appropriate protective gear and keep work clothes separate from home attire.
Do Your Research
While completely avoiding endocrine disruptors can be a challenge in our modern world, awareness is the first step to reducing exposure. It's important to be aware of the potential risks of endocrine disruptors and to take steps to reduce your exposure to these chemicals. Avoid using products that contain known endocrine disruptors, such as certain types of plastics and pesticides. Choose natural, organic products whenever possible, and avoid using chemicals in your home and garden. And if you’re trying to conceive, it's even more important to be aware of the potential risks and impact on fertility.
Here are some helpful resources & guides to get you started!
TIP: Use an app or website like Environmental Working Group to check the safety of your products.
Resources:
Claudio L. Environ Health Perspect. 2011 Oct; 119(10): a426–a427. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/119-a426/
Figure 1. Environmental Pollution by Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. Adverse Developmental, Reproductive and Immune Effects in the Wildlife and in Human Health - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-can-bind-to-a-receptor-thus-preventing-the-natural_fig3_237078264 [accessed 1 Aug, 2023]
https://www.fda.gov/food/fda-total-diet-study-tds/fda-total-diet-study-tds-results
Lee, Hye‐Rim, et al. "Molecular mechanism (s) of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals and their potent oestrogenicity in diverse cells and tissues that express estrogen receptors." Journal of cellular and molecular medicine 17.1 (2013): 1-11.
Marques-Pinto, A. and Carvalho, D. (2013). Human infertility: are endocrine disruptors to blame?. Endocrine Connections, 2(3), R15-R29. https://doi.org/10.1530/ec-13-0036
Rattan, Saniya, et al. "Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: consequences for female fertility." Journal of Endocrinology 233.3 (2017): R109-R129.
Rolfo, A., Nuzzo, A., Amicis, R., Moretti, L., Bertoli, S., & Leone, A. (2020). Fetal–maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors: correlation with diet intake and pregnancy outcomes. Nutrients, 12(6), 1744. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061744
Sears ME, Genuis SJ. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:356798 http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/356798
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/tscainventory/basic.html
Ünüvar, T. and Büyükgebiz, A. (2012). Fetal and neonatal endocrine disruptors. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology, 4(2), 51-60. https://doi.org/10.4274/jcrpe.569
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