Are You Exposed? A Comprehensive Guide to Common Sources of EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals)

The sad, sad truth is that we live in an increasingly toxic world, and not only are we paying for it with increasing health issues including infertility, hormone-related cancers, diabetes and cardiometabolic issues, but we are also risking the health of our children and grandchildren. 

A major threat to human health are endocrine disrupting chemicals (which include the terrifying PFAS, or “forever chemicals”, which build up in our bodies and the bodies of animals, water, and soil even though we banned many of them decades ago). 

But there are ways to reduce your risk of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Now, let’s dive into some of the sources of EDCs, and what you can do to reduce your risk of exposure. 

Sources of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) 

Here’s a list of common sources of EDCs, and the specific EDCs they contain: (6., 20.)

Clothing, Furniture, and Electronics

Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)

These chemicals are used to reduce flammability in products like electronics, furniture, and textiles; concerning flame retardants are still used in some children’s products, making kids extra-susceptible to exposure because they put everything in their mouths.

• Sources: electronics, clothing, furniture (e.g., sofas, mattresses).

• Exposure: household dust and food contamination.

• Effects: thyroid hormone disruption, impacting fetal and childhood development.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs are synthetic chemicals used in industrial applications for their insulating and stability properties; they’re banned in many countries but persist in the environment.

• Sources: insulation, electrical equipment, caulking, oil-based paints.

• Exposure: legacy contamination; persistent in the environment.

• Effects: neurological disorders, endocrine disruption.

Food Contact Materials

Phthalates

Phthalates are plasticizers used to make plastics flexible; they are also found in many other products, especially in perfumes and heavily scented products.

• Sources: food containers, plastic wraps, microwavable containers, as well as personal care products and more (see below).

• Exposure: leaching into food, especially with heat exposure.

• Effects: disrupted androgen production, impacting male and female development.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical compound widely used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is one of the most well-known endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

BPA mimics estrogen, reducing fertility and affecting egg quality.

• Sources: water bottles, plastic containers, canned food linings.

• Exposure: leaching during heating, exposure to sunlight, or contact with acidic foods.

• Effects: reduced egg quality, hormonal imbalance.

Children’s Products

Phthalates

• Sources: toys, games, baby bottles, battery-operated products.

• Exposure: products made before regulations or imported from countries with looser restrictions.

• Effects: hormone production interference.

Lead

Lead is a heavy metal previously used in paints, pipes, and some plastics; it’s still found in older products and contaminated environments.

• Sources: older or imported painted toys, plastics.

• Exposure: lead-based paints and softening agents in plastics.

• Effects: neurological toxicity, adverse reproductive health effects.

Cadmium

Cadmium is another heavy metal that is used in batteries, pigments, and coatings; it’s also a pollutant. Cadmium is linked to reproductive dysfunction, carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption.

• Sources: batteries, pigments, plastic stabilizers, coatings.

• Exposure: industrial products and poorly regulated consumer items.

• Effects: reproductive system disruption, carcinogenic effects.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide widely used since 1965 to control insect pests in agriculture and non-agricultural settings. As of December 2024, its use is currently restricted and is under review by the EPA. 

• Sources: agricultural pesticides.

• Exposure: soil, water, air, and food contamination.

• Effects: developmental delays, attention problems, ADHD.

DDT

Made famous by Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, DDT is a pesticide banned in many countries but still used in some areas to control insect-borne diseases.

• Sources: residual contamination in areas where banned or active use in malaria-endemic regions.

• Exposure: food and water contamination.

• Effects: breast cancer, reproductive health issues, hormonal imbalance.

Atrazine

Atrazine is a widely used herbicide primarily applied to control weeds on farms and near highways, with limited use in other areas. Concerns include potential effects on fetal growth and organ damage at high exposure levels.

• Sources: herbicides for plant control.

• Exposure: typically by being present during spraying, by playing or digging in exposed areas, or through exposure to contaminated well water.

• Effects: hypothalamus and pituitary gland dysfunction.

Glyphosate

Glyphosate is a common herbicide used to kill weeds, but concerns about its safety have grown. Recent research shows that glyphosate might harm the body by disrupting hormones, damaging the liver and kidneys, and possibly causing cancer, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. 

Its widespread use in farming has increased exposure to people through food and the environment, leading to calls for updated safety reviews and stricter rules.

• Sources: herbicides for lawn and farm weed control.

• Exposure: widespread food and landscaping exposure.

• Effects: potential links to obesity, behavioral and cognitive disorders.

PFAS Chemicals (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of man-made chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products for their water- and grease-resistant properties, characterized by their persistence in the environment and biological systems.

PFAS exposure has been linked to a range of health problems including disruptions in immune and thyroid function, liver and kidney damage, altered lipid and insulin regulation, developmental and reproductive issues, and potential cancer risks. These effects raise significant concerns due to PFAS's persistence in the environment and accumulation in the human body.

• Sources: non-stick cookware, carpets, textiles, water repellents.

• Exposure: contaminated water and food, or by skin contact.

• Effects: persistent environmental contamination, endocrine system disruption.

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. They mimic estrogen, so can cause hormone disruption and toxicity.

• Sources: skincare, cosmetics, personal care items.

• Exposure: direct dermal (skin) absorption.

• Effects: hormonal mimicry and imbalance.

Phenols (e.g., triclosan)

Phenols, such as triclosan, are a class of benzene-based chemicals found naturally in the environment and used in products like disinfectants and personal care items. 

While phenols can be effective in killing bacteria, exposure to high levels may cause harmful effects, including skin irritation, respiratory issues, or more serious problems like liver and kidney damage, depending on the dose and duration of exposure.

• Sources: antimicrobial and cleaning products.

• Exposure: direct skin contact or inhalation.

• Effects: thyroid hormone disruption.

Phthalates

• Sources: phthalates like diethyl phthalate (DEP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) are used in personal care products such as perfumes, deodorants, hairsprays, nail polish, and lotions to fix fragrance, stabilize formulations, and hold color. In one study, perfume has the strongest association with phthalate exposure.

• Exposure: phthalates from these products enter the body primarily through skin absorption, inhalation of vapors or particulates, and, less commonly, ingestion. Frequent use of multiple products increases cumulative exposure.

• Effects: developmental and reproductive health issues, and hormonal imbalances. Chronic exposure during critical life stages, such as pregnancy, may pose additional risks.

Household and Cleaning Products

Phthalates

• Sources: cleaning agents, air fresheners, and fragranced products.

• Effects: hormonal disruption through inhalation or dermal absorption.

Environmental Contamination

Dioxins

Dioxins are toxic, persistent organic pollutants produced as byproducts of industrial processes like waste incineration, chlorine bleaching, and pesticide manufacturing, as well as natural events like wildfires and volcanic eruptions. They accumulate in the environment and food chain, particularly in animal fats.

Essentially every living creature has been exposed to dioxins.

Dioxin exposure is linked to cancer, immune system damage, hormonal disruption, reproductive and developmental issues, and diseases like type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease. 

Vulnerable populations include developing fetuses, newborns, and individuals with high dietary intake of contaminated animal products.

• Sources: industrial processes, soil, and water contamination.

• Exposure: in air, water, and food, especially in animal and seafood products.

• Effects: metabolic and developmental toxicity.

How to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

Certain practices can help minimize your risk of exposure to EDCs:

Avoid Plastics

• Use glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free containers for food and beverages.

• Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers or wraps.

• Look for products labeled as "phthalate-free" or avoid plastics with recycling codes 3 (PVC) or 7.

Avoid Canned Foods

• Choose fresh or frozen foods instead of canned goods.

• Look for canned products labeled "BPA-free."

Opt for Fresh and Organic Foods

• Prioritize fresh, organic produce and meats to reduce exposure to pesticides and contaminants.

• Wash produce thoroughly to remove pesticide residues.

Limit Processed and Fast Foods, and Low-Quality Meats

• Avoid processed and fast foods that may contain phthalates or other EDCs from packaging or preparation methods.

• Industrially-processed meat may be higher in toxins including EDCs. 

Improve Food Storage and Preparation

• Avoid using non-stick cookware and plastic utensils; use stainless steel, cast iron, or nontoxic coated ceramic instead.

• Use parchment paper or glass lids instead of plastic wraps during food preparation and storage.

Avoid Contaminated Water

• Use water filters certified to remove contaminants like lead, PFAS, and other EDCs.

Choose Safer Personal Care and Household Products

• Use fragrance-free or EDC-free cosmetics, shampoos, and cleaning products.

• Look for products without parabens, phthalates, or triclosan.

Maintain Good Household Hygiene

• Dust and vacuum regularly to reduce exposure to EDCs like flame retardants from furniture and electronics.

• Avoid furniture or textiles treated with stain repellents or flame retardants when possible.

Supplement with Protective Nutrients

• Consume adequate iodine to protect thyroid function. Discuss your needs with your healthcare provider, as needs may depend on where you live, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in other specific situations. 

• Consider supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, and selenium, which may reduce EDC-related harm. Discuss your need for these with healthcare providers versed in the negative health effects of EDC exposure.

Reduce Exposure to Pesticides and Herbicides

• Avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides in your garden or home.

• Wash food thoroughly and peel non-organic fruits and vegetables.

Breastfeeding and Baby Care

• Breastfeed if possible to reduce exposure to processed baby food.

• Use glass or stainless steel bottles and EDC-free baby products.

Advocate for Change

• Support policies that limit the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products and packaging. And vote with your dollars by choosing cleaner products at the grocery store.

• Educate yourself and others about EDCs and safer alternatives.

By adopting these practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of exposure to EDCs and their associated health effects.

References

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