Environmental threats to the endocrine system – endocrine disruptors

The endocrine system has a key role in the regulation of all of the processes in our organism. Hence, it must maintain its healthy balance. There are a lot of outside factors that could disrupt the balance causing different diseases and abnormalities. Endocrine disruptors are one of the most prominent factors that aid the imbalance.

What are endocrine disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are different chemicals and substances that disrupt the regular function of the endocrine system. They can imitate, impede or block the endocrine hormones. Considering that the endocrine system is very sensitive to small hormonal fluctuations, the presence of miniature amounts of some disruptor can cause significant damage to the organism.

The impact of endocrine disruptors on our organism

Intake of certain endocrine disruptors is linked to an increased probability of development of metabolic disorders like obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The disruptors achieve their effect by changing glucose and lipid metabolism. The research showed that children whose mothers were exposed to endocrine disruptors during pregnancy, have a higher chance of obesity.

Furthermore, endocrine disruptors can have a significant impact on the reproductive system. They are linked to the development of myoma, endometriosis and the polycystic ovary syndrome in women, as well as cryptorchidism and lowered sperm quality in men. There is a possibility that endocrine disruptors can cause premature labour or low birth weight in newborn babies. Moreover, these disruptors can even cause an early onset of puberty in girls.

On the other hand, endocrine disruptors influence increasing incidence of hormone-dependent cancers like breast, endometrial, ovarian, testicular, prostate and pituitary cancer.

Because disruptors partake in interactions involving thyroid hormones, which are important for the prenatal and postnatal development of the central nervous system, the disruptors are linked to increased probability of developing ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, depression and other mood disorders.

Where can we find them?

Endocrine disruptors are omnipresent, but the main sources are food and water. However, it is also possible to inhale those substances or expose them through the skin. They are also found in various everyday products like packaging, bottles, cosmetics, toys and pesticides.

Here is a list of some of the most common endocrine disruptors:

• atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world
• bisphenol A is used in plastics production, but it can also be found in some food and beverage packaging
• dioxins are a byproduct of industrial processes, waste combustion and wildfires
• phthalates are a group of substances usually used as plasticisers, hence can be found in toys, food packaging, and cosmetics (mostly in nail polish, hairspray, aftershave lotions and shampoos)
• phytoestrogens are compounds found in some plants, especially in soybeans. They have similar impact on our bodies as human estrogen.
• parabens are used as preservatives and are widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
• polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are used in electrical equipment production. They are forbidden since 1979. but are still environmentally present nonetheless since they possess high chemical stability. The most common exposure method is consuming fish and bivalves, such as mussels, oysters, clams, or scallops.
• triclosan used to be added to antimicrobial substances and personal hygiene products.

How to avoid endocrine disruptors?

Even though endocrine disruptors are taken into account by the European Union legislations, the measures to lower human exposure to these compounds have been established. However, they are still widely present in the environment and hence difficult to control. Because of that environmental presence, the responsibility lies on each individual to take precautionary measures like reading the product label information to limit the exposure of the endocrine disruptors.

Translated by: Dea Radek