Endocrine Disruptors
Many chemicals may mimic or interfere with the body's hormones, known as the endocrine system. Called endocrine disruptors, these chemicals are linked with developmental, reproductive, brain, immune, and other problems. Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday products including plastic bottles and containers, liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics and pesticides.
Bottled water may sit on the shelf for years. The plastic bottles that bottled water are sold in contain many harmful chemicals. These chemicals will continue to leech into the water as long as the water is in contact with the plastic. These chemicals are not only ingested in the water, they then continue to contaminate the environment as the bottles lie in waste.
Some endocrine disruptor chemicals are slow to break down in the environment. That makes them potentially more hazardous overtime. In studies, endocrine disrupting chemicals cause adverse effects in animals. But there is less scientific information on the potential health problems in humans. Because people are typically exposed to multiple endocrine disruptors at the same time, assessing public health effects is difficult.
The developing child may be more adversely affected. There is a growing body of evidence showing that exposure to a number of chemicals may adversely impact child development through altered endocrine function. Increased rates of reproductive tract abnormalities if exposed in utero, obesity, precocious puberty, increased ADHD and autism spectrum disorder have all been linked with these chemical exposures. In addition, studies have shown a diminished immune response and increased risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Some of these chemicals have even been shown to alter the way genes turn on and off, affecting fertility and reproduction.
Even low doses of endocrine disrupting chemicals may be unsafe. The body’s normal endocrine functioning involves very small changes in hormone levels. We know even these small changes can cause significant developmental and biological effects. This observation leads scientists to think that endocrine disrupting chemical exposure, even at low amounts, can alter the body's sensitive systems and lead to health problems.
In addition to leaching out of the plastic of bottled water, children may be exposed to these chemicals in many common household products. Children may be exposed to endocrine disruptors through food and beverages consumed, dishware, toys, pesticide and chemical contact in their environment and products applied to their skin. Contact with these chemicals may occur through diet, air, skin, and water.
A list of these endocrine disruptors and where they are commonly found is below:
BPA ( Bisphenol A): used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins which are found in plastic products including food storage containers. These can be found in our food and water.
Dioxins: produced as a byproduct in herbicide production and paper bleaching, they are also released into the environment during wast burning and wildfires.Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment. The highest levels of these compounds are found in some soils, sediments and food, especially dairy products, meat, fish and shellfish. Very low levels are found in plants, water and air.
Perchlorate: a by-product of aerospace, weapon, and pharmaceutical industries is released in fireworks and found in drinking water
PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances): used widely in industrial applications, such as firefighting foams and nonstick pan and paper and textile coatings. These chemicals can be found in our food that is packaged in PFAS-containing materials, processed with equipment that uses PFAS, or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water.
Phthalates: used to make plastics more flexible, they are found in food packaging, cosmetics, children’s toys and medical devices. These are found in our food and water. They are in higher levels in meats and dairy.
Phytoestrogens: naturally occurring substances in plants that have hormone-like activity, such as genistein and daidzein that are in soy products. Many health benefits have been attributed to phytoestrogens including a lowered risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and menopausal symptoms. They are also considered endocrine disruptors because there is concern that they have the potential to cause adverse health effects as well
PBDE ( Polybrominated diphenyl ethers):used to make flame retardants for household products such as furniture foam and carpets. PBDEs have been detected in coastal and estuarine environments. They have also been found in the air, soil, sediments, humans, wildlife, fish and other marine life, and sewage treatment plant biosolids.
PCB( polychlorinated biphenyls): used to make electrical equipment like transformers, and in hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants and plasticizers. PCBs do not readily break down once in the environment. They can remain for long periods cycling between air, water and soil. PCBs can be carried long distances and have been found in snow and sea water in areas far from where they were released into the environment. As a consequence, they are found all over the world.
Triclosan: may be found in some anti-microbial and personal care products, like liquid body wash. Triclosan has been widely detected in the water coming in and out of waste water treatment plants, in lakes, rivers and sea water in various countries in Europe, in the USA, in Canada, in Australia, in Japan and in Hong Kong.
Phytoestrogens have been shown to have health benefits. If obtained from organic soy products, these naturally occurring hormones may be beneficial. Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. They have been found to be beneficial in combating symptoms and conditions caused by estrogen deficiency. Phytoestrogens may also play a role in fighting cancer.
With the exception of phytoestrogen, the other chemicals above have been implicated in detrimental health effects. These chemicals interfere negatively with the body's hormones. They have been linked with developmental, reproductive, brain, immune abnormalities.
To protect your child: Limit plastics use. Carry reusable water bottles. Reuse and recycle. Avoid pesticides in your child's food and environment. Use products free of these chemicals - with natural ingredients that you recognize. Eat organic. Eat plant-based. Purchase toys made of natural products. Check labels.
Some product links to green products without known endocrine disruptors are below.
Family friendly bamboo dishware
BPA free water bottle with filter
