What are endocrine disruptors

The endocrine disruptors (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals / EDCs) , are diverse and heterogeneous chemical compounds of natural or artificial origin, which, exogenously affect the body of humans and other animals, altering the balance or homeostasis of the endocrine system such organisms.

According to the characteristic hormonal pattern of each animal species, it is possible to know how these environmental pollutants affect the endocrine system of each individual. For this, it is important to also take into account what role hormones play within the endocrine system, highlighting their role as internal chemical messengers, which, after being released by a hormone-secreting organ, pass into the bloodstream and are transported to their ” target organs “, in which they act by carrying out their hormonal effect.

In this context, hormonal disruptors intervene directly by altering the hormonal chemical message and, therefore, the endocrine system in general, in the following ways:

• Mimicking the action of the body’s natural endogenous hormones, that is, supplanting them.
• Antagonizing the action of these natural hormones.
• Altering their synthesis and metabolism.
• Modulating and changing the levels of chemical receptors that directly interact with the hormones of the endocrine system.

In Spain, Dr. Nicolás Olea , Professor of Medicine, has dedicated more than 30 years to the study and research of the mechanisms of action and the impact of endocrine disruptors on health , being considered one of the greatest experts in the study of endocrine disruptors. In his multiple studies, he details how the neurological and / or reproductive consequences associated with the imbalance of the endocrine system prevent optimal coordination of human organs, as well as failures in brain organization and metabolism, among others.

The negative effect of endocrine disruptors is reflected in different health problems in human beings , among which are:

• In women: increase in the appearance of breast cancer, endometriosis and negative consequences in a pregnancy, such as embryonic and fetal death or malformations in the offspring.
• In men: decreased number of sperm and their functionality, prostate and testicular cancer, decreased level of the hormone testosterone, as well as modification of the concentration of thyroid hormones.
• In boys and girls: low birth weight, precocious puberty, problems in the development of the central nervous system, hyperactivity, learning and reading comprehension problems, decreased intelligence quotient, higher incidence of different types of cancer and deformations in organs players.
• Neurotoxicity, with alterations in certain behavioral and cognitive functions.
• Decreased immune response.
  

Currently, thanks to numerous studies and scientific research, it has been possible to confirm the endocrine disrupting properties of around 600 compounds. The most alarming thing about this confirmation is the fact that these compounds are part of the circle of chemical compounds most used in our day to day life. Let’s take a few examples of the most common artificial endocrine disruptors to learn more about them:

• Household insecticides: dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), aldrin and parathion.
• Herbicidas (atrazina, trifluoralin).
• Fungicides (mancozeb and zineb) and molluscides (tributyltin).
• Neutral surfactant alkylphenols present in many cleaning supplies and in some already prepared or precooked foods.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in lubricants.
• Phthalates (being one of the main components of soft plastics in children’s toys).
• Bisphenol-A in polycarbonates and epoxy resins, present in both transparent bottles and food containers.
• Artificial estrogens such as diethylstilbestrol (DES), one of the most used in contraceptives.
• Components of the UV filters in certain creams, such as the chemical compound 3-benzophenone.
• Environmental pollutants such as dioxins, furans, and certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known for short as PAHs.

Many of these artificial CDEs are currently under the supervision of the agreement signed in the Stockholm Convention , which established the international commitment of different countries to restrict and eradicate the use of these, also known as ” Persistent organic pollutants ” .

On the other hand, it is easy to find natural CDEs in our day, that is, those that are part of natural foods and substances, among which the pheromones and phytoestrogens (isoflavones and lignans) stand out, present both in soybeans and other legumes .

Endocrine disruptors pose a dangerous problem for environmental, human and other animal health , which is why control and regulation of the use of these harmful compounds are essential to avoid their possible consequences.

In this way, when adopting measures that ensure the protection of the environment and public health against these hormonal pollutants, it is necessary the presence of more and more toxicological tests and new research objectives, oriented towards the evaluation of the CDE (and re-evaluation of the existing objectives), having as main objective the estimation of the risk that people, as well as other animals and the environment run, in the face of an increasingly frequent and continuous exposure to said contamination hormonal. The European Union Expert Committee for Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and Environment, for example, has begun to establish the main criteria to be taken into account forthe control and future eradication of these hormonal pollutants . These criteria include: the volume of production of the chemical compound analyzed, its persistence in the environment, its bioavailability, its harmful effect (proven or potential) and its level of action on the health of people or biota, having take into account the degree of exposure and their susceptibility.

Now that we know what CDEs consist of and what compounds and elements we use daily appear, it is vitally important to create a joint social awareness network, avoiding the purchase and consumption of these products with hormonal contaminants , and putting pressure on the chemical and industrial companies that generate them, to eradicate their production as soon as possible.

You can learn more about this type of contamination in this other article on Chemical contamination: what it is, causes and consequences , in which aspects of endocrine disruptors, among other contaminants, are also discussed.

If you want to read more articles similar to What are endocrine disruptors , we recommend that you enter our Pollution category .