The Endocrine System in Danger
What you need to know about endocrine disruptors: 10 common sources and practical advice on how to avoid them.
What you need to know about endocrine disruptors: 10 common sources and practical advice on how to avoid them.
10 sources of endocrine disruptors and how to avoid them
Author - Dr. Mercola
Endocrine disruptors interfere with normal development and reproduction and may have serious effects on the neurological and immune systems.
Disruptions occur because these chemicals mimic the body's hormones, including the female sex hormone estrogen, the male sex hormone androgen, and thyroid hormones.
Endocrine-disrupting substances block hormonal signals in the body or disrupt the way hormones, or receptors, are produced or controlled.
Your usual hormonal balance or the way these hormones circulate in the body may change. As the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) notes:
"The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and hormones that regulates many body functions, including growth, development and maturation, as well as the function of various organs.
The endocrine glands - including the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, thymus, pancreas, ovaries and testes - secrete carefully measured amounts of hormones into the bloodstream, which act as natural chemical messengers, reaching different parts of the body to control and regulate many vital functions."
As you might guess, altering this precise system is like playing with fire, but it happens every day when you use "ordinary" everyday products at home. In part, the danger of endocrine disruptors is related to their widespread prevalence and the fact that most of us are exposed to several such chemicals daily.
Endocrine disruptors are linked to cancer, ADHD and more
The various health problems associated with exposure to these common chemicals include:
Children and pregnant women are the risk group, but consequences appear decades later
The greatest danger, it seems, comes from exposure during prenatal or early postnatal development, that is, when the nervous system and organs are forming.
Some consequences, however, may manifest only decades later, and it is increasingly suggested that the origins of many adult diseases lie in disruption of fetal development.
One of the most shocking examples of this is diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic analogue of estrogen that was widely prescribed to pregnant women before the 1970s to prevent miscarriage and stimulate fetal growth.
This endocrine disruptor turned out to be incredibly dangerous and caused reproductive system developmental problems and vaginal cancer that manifested after puberty.
Not only people suffer. Endocrine disruptors are ubiquitously found in polluted water, air, and food products, which means there is also a risk to wildlife.
Fish in the Great Lakes have been found to suffer from reproductive problems and abnormal thyroid tumors due to exposure to endocrine disruptors - polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
In one region of Florida, the alligator population dropped sharply after a pesticide spill, which caused a reduction in reproductive organs and decreased successful reproduction. Both alligators and their eggs were found to be contaminated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
10 common sources of chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system
The EpochTimes newspaper recently compiled a list of 10 common sources of endocrine disruptors and measures that can be taken against them.
1. Personal care items
Shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, cosmetics and other personal care items often contain endocrine disruptors, including (but, of course, not only) phthalates. Phthalates are a group of chemicals that cause males of many species to become more female-like.
These chemicals disrupt the wildlife endocrine system, causing testicular cancer, genital deformities, low sperm counts and infertility in a number of species, including, for example, bears, deer, whales and otters.
Another endocrine-disrupting chemical - triclosan - is present even in some brands of toothpaste. Switching to natural and/or homemade personal care products will help avoid such exposure. You can also try to reduce the number of personal care products you use every day.
2. Drinking water
The water you drink may be contaminated with atrazine, arsenic, and perchlorate - all of which can disrupt the endocrine system. A quality water filtration system - both in the kitchen and in the bathroom - will help protect you and your family.
3. Canned products
An analysis of 252 brands of canned goods showed that 78 of them still use bisphenol A (BPA), despite the fact that it is officially considered an endocrine disruptor. BPA has been linked to a number of health problems, especially in pregnant women, fetuses and young children, as well as in adults, including:
4. Conventionally grown produce
Pesticides, herbicides and industrial runoff coat conventionally grown fruits and vegetables with a layer of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Whenever possible, buy and eat organically grown and sourced produce - this will reduce your exposure to pesticides and fertilizers that disrupt the endocrine system.
5. Meat and dairy products from animals and birds raised in confined conditions
Animals raised in confined conditions (CAFOs) are also typically loaded with antibiotics, hormones and other industrial chemicals capable of disrupting the endocrine system. Look for livestock products from small local farmers who practice pasture-raising and avoid the use of chemicals.
6. Fish high in mercury
Fish contaminated with high levels of mercury and other heavy metals should also be avoided because these metals also disrupt hormonal balance. Sharks, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin and tilefish are the worst offenders, but it turns out even tuna is contaminated at dangerously high levels. Fish raised on fish farms ("sea CAFOs") also typically have a lot of contaminants and are best avoided. When it comes to consuming seafood, smaller fish such as sardines, anchovies and herring typically have fewer contaminants and more omega-3 fats.
7. Kitchenware
Plastic containers and non-stick cookware that are in every kitchen are another type of danger. Plastic containers may contain BPA or other endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can leach into food, especially when the plastic is heated. Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used to create non-stick, stain- and water-repellent surfaces, are also toxic and very persistent, both in the body and in the environment. When heated, the non-stick coating releases perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), linked to thyroid diseases, infertility, developmental problems, and reproductive system disorders. Cast iron cookware with ceramic and enameled coatings are safer options - they are durable, easy to wash (even from the most burnt food, you just need to soak them in warm water) and completely inert, that is, they do not release any harmful chemicals into your home.
8. Cleaning products
Commercial solutions for cleaning floors, toilets, stoves, windows and much more typically contain industrial chemicals that can cause hormones to malfunction. For example, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), a common ingredient in detergents and all-purpose products, are banned in Europe, as they have been established to be a potent endocrine disruptor that causes male fish to turn into females. You'll be surprised, but it's quite simple to prepare detergents at home using various combinations of vinegar, baking soda, essential oils and even coconut oil.
9. Office products
Cartridges, toner and other solvents common in the office are another source of chemicals that cause endocrine disruption. Handle them with care, minimizing their exposure whenever possible.
10. Cash register receipts
Thermal paper has a coating that turns black when exposed to heat (the printer in the cash register emits heat, causing numbers and letters to appear on the paper). It also contains BPA, and studies show that handling this type of paper can increase its levels in the body. A study conducted by the journal "Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry" showed that of 13 analyzed types of thermal paper, BPA was present in 11. Holding this paper for just five seconds is enough for BPA to transfer to a person's skin, and if the fingers are wet or greasy (for example, if you've just used lotion or eaten greasy food), the amount of BPA from the paper increases tenfold.
Finally, given that people often put receipts in their wallets, next to banknotes, the banknotes also become contaminated with BPA. In a study published in the journal "Science and Technology for the Environment", scientists tested banknotes from 21 countries for the presence of BPA and found this substance in every sample.
Therefore, try not to put receipts in your wallet or purse, as they appear to transfer the chemical to other surfaces they come into contact with. In addition, it is advisable to wash your hands every time after you handle receipts and banknotes, and try not to pick them up if you've just applied lotion or other greasy substances, as this can increase your exposure to BPA. If you work as a cashier in a bank or store and constantly deal with such paper, you may want to wear gloves, especially if you are pregnant or of childbearing age.
Another 19 tips to reduce your exposure to chemicals in the home
Whenever possible, buy and eat organically grown and sourced produce - this will reduce your exposure to hormones, pesticides and fertilizers. Try to avoid milk and other dairy products containing genetically modified recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST).
Instead of consuming fish raised conventionally or in fish farms, which is often contaminated with PCBs and mercury, give preference to supplements with high-quality purified krill oil or eat small fish, or fish caught in the sea and laboratory-tested for purity. For these reasons, wild-caught Alaskan salmon is the only fish I eat.
Buy products in glass bottles or jars, rather than plastic or tin packaging, as chemicals from plastics can leach into the contents.
Store food and drinks in glass, not plastic dishes, and try not to use polyethylene film.
For babies, use glass bottles, not plastic sippy cups.
Eat predominantly raw, fresh produce. Processed, packaged products (of all kinds) are a common source of chemicals such as BPA and phthalates.
Replace non-stick frying pans and saucepans with ceramic or glass ones.
Filter tap water - both for drinking and for bathing. If you can afford it, filter your bathing water, as skin absorbs contaminants. To remove the endocrine-disrupting herbicide atrazine, make sure the filter has the appropriate certification. According to the Environmental Working Group, perchlorate can be filtered using a reverse osmosis system.
Look for products manufactured by companies that use safe-for-earth, animal- and plant-friendly, non-toxic or 100% organic technologies. This applies to everything - from food and personal care products to building materials, carpet coverings, paint, children's products, upholstery and much more.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove household dust, which is often contaminated with traces of chemicals.
When purchasing new items such as furniture, mattresses or carpet underlay, inquire about the type of flame retardant used in them. Be careful and/or try to avoid items containing PBDEs, antimony, formaldehyde, boric acid and other brominated chemicals. When you get rid of these toxic elements in your home, choose those containing natural, less flammable materials - leather, wool and cotton.
Avoid clothing, furniture and carpets with stain- and water-repellent coatings - this will help protect against perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).
Minimize the use of plastic toys for children - instead, give preference to those made from natural wood or fabric.
Use only natural cleaning products or homemade products at home. Avoid products containing 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME) - two toxic glycol ethers that can affect fertility and harm the embryo.
Switch to organic brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics. Many of them can be replaced with coconut oil and baking soda, for example. The Environmental Working Group has compiled an extensive database in which you will find personal care products without phthalates and other potentially dangerous chemicals. I also offer one of the highest quality lines of organic skincare products, shampoos, conditioners and body oils that are completely natural and safe.
Replace feminine hygiene products such as sanitary pads and tampons with safer alternatives.
Avoid artificial air fresheners, antistatic agents, fabric conditioners and other synthetic fragrances.
Look for fragrance-free products. A single artificial fragrance can contain hundreds - if not thousands - of potentially toxic chemicals.
Replace the vinyl shower curtain with a fabric one.
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