Endocrine Disruptors
What are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that can interfere, mimic, or block the body’s hormone system, resulting in serious health impacts on people and wildlife. Scientists are concerned about these chemicals because even low-level exposure to endocrine disruptors can have major impacts on our health, turning the concept of “the dose makes the poison” on its head. Given this, many scientists believe there may be no safe level of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Scientists are also especially concerned about exposure to endocrine-disrupting disrupting during “critical windows of development” for infants in the womb.
The endocrine system uses hormones to carry out virtually every major body function, from growth and development to reproduction. Even small changes can have profound impacts.
How am I exposed to endocrine disruptors?
There are many ways that exposure to endocrine disruptors can occur, from the air we breathe to the food we eat to the dust we touch. Many plastic products, fragrances, furniture, textiles, building materials, and food packaging can contain these harmful chemicals.
The following are a few of the more well-known chemical classes commonly used in products and/or packaging that are known or suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Bisphenols (like BPA and BPS)
Bisphenols are widely used chemicals found in everything from food and beverage packaging (can linings) to thermal paper and used to make polycarbonate plastic as well as epoxy resins.
Common exposures: Canned foods, receipts, and polycarbonate (PC) plastic containers.
PFAS (Per and polyfluoroalykyl substances)
Often called “forever chemicals,” PFAS have become notorious as drinking water contaminants as a result of industrial releases and use of firefighting foam. But chemical companies make and sell PFAS for a range of products, from stain-protection treatments for paper and textiles to non-stick coatings like Teflon, and our exposure comes from multiple sources.
Common exposures: Nonstick cookware (like Teflon), fast food wrappers, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets, and contaminated drinking water.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a class of chemicals that are used to make plastics, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl), flexible. The chemicals also serve various functions (e.g. fragrance) in beauty, personal care, and cleaning products.
Common exposures: Flexible vinyl building materials and consumer products, personal care products (such as lotions and perfumes), food, and household dust.
Organohalogen Flame Retardants (OFRs)
Organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) are a class of chemicals that have been used in products ranging from upholstered furniture and televisions to building insulation. A 2023 peer-reviewed study by Toxic-Free Future, Emory University, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute found organohalogen flame retardants in 100% of breast milk sampled from Northwest moms.
Common exposures: TVs and electronics, recycled e-waste plastics, older upholstered furniture with foam, food, and household dust.
Why should I be concerned?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can have profound effects at low doses and are linked to:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Poor sperm quality
- Infertility
- Endometriosis
- Certain breast, prostate, and other hormone-dependent cancers
How can I reduce my exposure?
You shouldn’t have to be a scientist to avoid endocrine-disrupting chemicals. While full protection requires stronger laws and corporate accountability, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors at home:
- Be picky with plastics and reduce plastic use overall.
- Avoid PFAS and phthalates in cosmetics and personal care products.
- Choose safer cleaning products, such as those certified as EPA Safer Choice.
- Find safer rain-gear without PFAS!
- Skip paper receipts that can contain bisphenols and ask your favorite retailer to use safer options!
- Check the label on your couch and upholstered furniture. Look for a label on the back of cushions to make sure it says, “CONTAINS NO ADDED FLAME RETARDANTS.”
- Eat healthier. Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as organohalogen flame retardants and dioxins, build up in fatty foods. Reduce your consumption of dairy and meat to reduce your exposure to EDCs that build up in fattier foods.
What’s the solution?
It’s time for real action to protect the health of all U.S. residents from dangerous chemicals used in everything from food packaging and cosmetics to furniture and building materials.
We need a new approach that requires:
- Strong Policy: Government and corporations must adopt strong policies to eliminate the most hazardous chemicals and plastics by 2040
- Transparency: Consumers, businesses, and government agencies have a fundamental right to know about hazardous chemicals put into products and used in manufacturing
- Ban the Bad: Steps must be taken to phase out and ban the most hazardous chemicals and plastics
- Safer Solutions: Safer solutions to hazardous chemicals and plastics are those that are inherently less hazardous
For more information, visit the Four Essential Elements for a Toxic-Free Future, our roadmap for safer chemistry and healthy people.
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