The Endocrine Society and IPEN have published a joint report summarising the latest scientific evidence on the links between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and a range of serious health issues.

The report, ‘Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Threats to human health’, provides information on four major sources of people’s exposure to EDCs: plastics, pesticides, consumer products, and PFAS. The report also highlights the health impacts associated with these chemicals.

EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of our hormone system.

Plastics

Over 13,000 chemicals are associated with plastics, but only around 7,000 have enough data available to determine their human or environmental impacts – of which around 50% have one or more hazardous properties of concern.

Chemicals of concern commonly used in plastics include bisphenols and phthalates, both of which are featured in the report. Their use is wide-ranging, from children’s toys to food and drinks packaging. Some of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors or suspected endocrine disruptors.

A major route of our exposure to these chemicals is via ingestion, when we consume food and drinks that have been packaged or stored in plastic that contains phthalates or bisphenols.

The report highlights the links between bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, and a variety of health impacts, such as reproductive issues and impacts on fetal brain development. It notes that phthalates can interfere with testicular growth and ovarian function. According to the report, emerging evidence suggests ovarian effects could be passed down through generations.

For more information on plastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, see our plastics webpage. You can view our phthalates page here, and our bisphenols page here.

Pesticides

The report’s review of pesticides includes glyphosate – the most widely used herbicide globally. Exposure to glyphosate can occur via inhalation, contact with the skin, and contaminated food and drink. The report highlights that the chemical has eight of the ten characteristics of an EDC, and it has been linked to health issues such as certain cancers and reproductive issues. A 2013-2014 study found that 81.2 % of participants from a representative U.S. population had detectable glyphosate levels in their urine.

Read more about glyphosate on Pesticide Action Network’s webpage.

Consumer products

The presence of inorganic lead and arsenic in common household and personal products is highlighted in the report, which states that both of these substances can be EDCs.

Since CHEM Trust was founded (2007) we have been working to increase awareness of EDCs in everyday products that can harm our health. We are calling on the EU authorities and the UK government to protect people from harmful chemicals by introducing robust legislation to phase out the most harmful chemicals from consumer products by 2030.

See our list of endocrine disruptors and where they can be found here.

PFAS

PFAS are a family of over 10,000 chemicals that are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they will last in the environment for generations. They are used in a wide range of consumer products, such as food packaging, cosmetics, and clothing, as well as in industrial applications.

The most studied chemicals in the group are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to thyroid disease, obesity, high cholesterol, reproductive issues and the development of certain cancers. The report reviews the evidence that PFAS are EDCs and highlights our exposure routes, which include contaminated food and drink and occupational and environmental exposures.

Alongside other NGOs, CHEM Trust is calling for the UK and the EU to ban all PFAS in consumer products by 2025; followed by a ban on the whole family of PFAS chemicals by 2030.

If you are concerned about your risk of exposure to EDCs see our reduce your risk webpages.

Read more news.