Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and how to avoid them
Did you know that what your eggs are exposed to today could affect the health of your daughter’s eggs?! Listen up! This article isn’t meant to scare you, but to educate you so you can make healthy decisions for yourself and the generations come.
There are over 80,000 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) used in manufacturing items that we come into contact with daily. They are in our personal care products, fragrances, clothing, bedding, cook- and bakeware. They contaminate our water, food, and air. And, the EPA has only banned 6 of these 80,000 chemicals in the United States!
In addition, also very concerning is that less than 1% of chemicals registered with the EPA have undergone extensive neurotoxicity testing. And many chemicals found in consumer goods are not required to undergo this testing.
There are contaminants such as lead, arsenic, PFAS and glyphosates in our drinking water. High levels of mercury in our oceans and consequently the fish we eat. And, an array of chemicals in the most common household items. Many of these chemicals and toxins are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals aka chemicals that negatively impact our hormones.
Even small amounts of these chemicals can have a major impact on our system. In particular – our hormones. From metabolism to mood to your reproductive health – our very sensitive endocrine system controls and coordinates thousands of functions throughout the body. Very low levels of EDCs can cause major disruptions in the functioning of our hormones.
Your endocrine system, in a nutshell, includes all the glands in your body that secretes hormones. Think adrenals, thyroid, ovaries, brain and testes.
Disruption of these glands can create an over- or underactive secretion, creating changes in metabolism, irregular periods, anovulation, infertility, mood changes, or altered/inappropriate immune response, potentially triggering auto-immune diseases.
That’s why it is so important for us to learn (and teach our children) more about these chemicals, and how to avoid them when possible.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are “substances in the environment (air, soil, or water supply), food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of your body’s endocrine system.” We are exposed to EDCs through air, food and water and also, absorption through our skin.
They alter the production and regulation of hormones, causing the body to alter how hormones are made, stored, or broken down.
Creepy, they can even mimic your body’s hormones, tricking our bodies into thinking that they are hormones causing the body to respond inappropriately.
And conversely, they can block your own hormones by binding to a cell’s hormone receptors, which ultimately doesn’t let YOUR hormones bind in properly,
Experts believe that the rise in infertility is due, in part, to toxic environmental contaminants. Several studies have shown that women with higher exposure to common chemicals like pesticides and BPA experience an increase in infertility by upwards of 50%. Additionally, these women are typically less successful with IVF treatments.
Pregnant women and their growing fetuses are especially sensitive to these endocrine disruptors, as are all able to cross the placenta and transfer into breastmilk. Even at very low levels, exposure to these chemicals in utero and/or as an infant can contribute to significant health concerns, including impaired growth, asthma, thyroid disruption, heart defects, immune suppression, and altered cognitive and behavioral development.
Endocrine disruptors also have the potential to cause miscarriage and preterm delivery, AND the impact of these chemicals has the potential to impact our children’s children!
Over the past 20 years, there has been an increase in the early onset of puberty in both boys and girls. Environmental factors alone are not the culprit. But, there is increasing evidence that suggests EDCs such as BPA, pesticides, and phthalates do play a part in affecting pubertal development.
The 6 Common Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Plastics. BPA was first developed in 1890 as a synthetic estrogen. Today, BPA is a synthetic chemical used in the production of plastic products including kids’ toys, water bottles, and other housewares. BPA mimics the sex hormone estrogen, tricking the body into thinking it’s the real hormone. Leading to health issues that we typically see from dangerously high levels of estrogen. It has been linked to infertility (men and women), early puberty, breast cancer, PCOS, obesity, and heart disease.
Most plastics contain BPAs or phthalates. The most concerning plastics are the soft, pliable ones as these contain higher levels of BPA and phthalates. As plastics get older, (or hot ) they start to break down, leaching more chemicals into your water and food. This plastic also includes all the to-go foods and drinks, as well as the plastics in the clothing that we wear, and the playing fields and playgrounds that our kids roll around on.
What you can do: Start replacing your plastic containers and water bottles with glass or stainless steel. And definitely don’t let your plastic water bottle get hot in the car! And consider the next time that you buy a baby gift, buying a non-plastic toy as you know they all end up in their mouths! Buy and wear natural fibers.
Phthalates: so common and hard to avoid, but possible! They are a fixative for color and perfumes and make plastics supple and flexible. They are found in personal care products, makeup, nail polish, household cleaners, scented candles, perfumes, air fresheners, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, plastic food containers, kids’ toys, and even the interior of your car.
Phthalates have been linked to infertility, low sperm counts, birth defects, obesity, and thyroid conditions.
Investigate you Beauty, Personal Care and Cleaning Products!
If you like to geek out, even a little bit like me, check out the EWG’s Skin Deep database to see if the products you use contain phthalates, parabens or other concerning chemicals. I taught my 13 year old to use this very cool database. It’s fun and easy, and while sometimes it’s slightly annoying to her, I think she appreciates the importance.
Each product is rated for its potential to cause harm to your body. The database is very comprehensive, as they have thousands of products, including make-up, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and soaps. There is also a separate site for common household cleaning products.
So ditch those smelly products that you spray on your body and put in your laundry, and try making your own cleaners with simple, non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and castile soap.
Limit processed and packaged foods. Processed and fast foods are often higher in phthalates and other EDCs that can leach from food packaging.
A diet rich in fresh, whole foods has been shown to reduce EDC levels in the body.
Flame retardants: chemicals added to materials such as clothing, furniture, and carpets to prevent the start or slow the growth of a fire. The US banned early flame retardants in 1977, but many are still found in old furniture. Newer ones like brominated flame retardants are now also receiving scrutiny as EDCs.
Flame retardants are linked to various health concerns including thyroid conditions, reproductive issues, neurological and developmental delays, cancer, and low birth weight.
While many flame retardants have been phased out or are no longer produced, companies are still not required to list the chemicals that they do use on their flame-retardant materials. So when you are purchasing couches, mattresses, and clothing items including children’s pajamas, do your research first. Natural fibers like wool or silk or synthetics like polyester or nylon tend to have less or no chemical treatments.
Here’s a tip! Dust and vacuum frequently. EDCs like PFAS and flame retardants accumulate in household dust. Regularly dust surfaces with a damp cloth and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap small particles.
PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl) Substances
The ‘forever chemicals’ found in 99% of Americans
In 1946, DuPont introduced Teflon to the world, changing millions of people’s lives – and polluting their bodies. Today, the family of compounds including Teflon, commonly called PFAS, is found not only in pots and pans but also in the blood of people around the world, including 99 % of Americans. PFAS chemicals pollute water, do not break down, and remain in the environment and people for decades.
Scientists call them “forever chemicals.”
For decades, chemical companies covered up evidence of PFAS’ health hazards. Today nearly all Americans, including newborn babies, have PFAS in their blood, and more than 200 million people may be drinking PFAS-tainted water. What began as a “miracle of modern chemistry” is now a national crisis.
PFAS are used in a staggering array of consumer products and commercial applications. Decades of heavy use have resulted in contamination of water, soil and the blood of people and animals in the farthest corners of the world.
They stick with us forever and have the potential to cause harm years and years after exposure.
Drinking water contaminated with PFAS get’s a lot of attention (which is good) but drinking water is not the main route of PFAS exposure for most Americans:
Although the original PFAS chemical used to make Teflon has been taken off the market, Teflon and other brands of nonstick cookware are still produced with new PFAS that may be no safer. PFAS chemicals are widely used to coat paper and cardboard wrappers for fast food and bakery goods.
PFAS chemicals lurk in stain-resistant furniture and carpets treated with Scotchgard, Stainmaster and other fabric treatments.
Clothes labeled stain- or water-repellent, such as Gore-Tex jackets, usually contain PFAS chemicals.
PFAS are even in personal care products and cosmetics.
PFAS exposure, and closely related PFAS chemicals have been linked to:
Testicular, kidney, liver and pancreatic cancer
Reproductive problems
Weakened childhood immunity
Low birth weight
Endocrine disruption and thyroid disease
Increased cholesterol
Weight gain in children and dieting adults
Ditch your non-stick pans, and switch to more body and environmentally friendly, built to last cookware, such stainless steel, carbon steel, stoneware, or cast iron pans. Read labels when buying carpets, furniture and clothing.
If interested, here is an excellent 2025 map of the current PFAS content in drinking water by state.
Here’s another excellent article on home water filtration systems.
Organophosphates are one of the most commonly used pesticides in the US. They are used on peaches, apples, corn, pears, cherries, grapes, and citrus. They have been linked to lower IQ, developmental delay, and ADHD in kids exposed in utero. Organophosphates are also known as “obesogens.” These are chemicals that are linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes.
Every day, nine out of ten American children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years are exposed to combinations of 13 different neurotoxic insecticides in the foods they eat. While the amounts consumed rarely cause acute illness, these “organophosphate” insecticides (OPs) have the potential to cause long term damage to the brain and the nervous system, which are rapidly growing and extremely vulnerable to injury during fetal development, infancy and early childhood.
Based on the most recent government data available on children’s eating patterns, pesticides in food, and the toxicity of organophosphate insecticides, the Environmental Working Group estimates that every day, more than one million children age 5 and under (1 out of 20) eat an unsafe dose of organophosphate insecticides. One hundred thousand of these children exceed the EPA safe dose, the so-called reference dose, by a factor of 10 or more!
For infants six to twelve months of age, commercial baby food is the dominant source of unsafe levels of OP insecticides. OPs in baby food apple juice, pears, applesauce, and peaches expose about 77,000 infants each day, to unsafe levels of OP insecticides.
The foods that expose the most children age six months through five years to unsafe levels of OPs (because they are more heavily consumed) are apples, peaches, applesauce, popcorn, grapes, corn chips, and apple juice.
To decrease your organophosphate exposure, start by buying more organic produce. Conventionally grown produce has been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides. And if you do buy non-organic vegetables, washing them first does help to decrease the pesticides.
Now check this out, I hope you love this as much as I do. They even make wallet sized versions, and of course you can download the app.
It’s called the DIRTY DOZEN and the CLEAN FIFTEEN, which is an annual update on the 12 most sprayed fruits and veggies and 15 fruits and veggies that are LEAST sprayed.
Mercury is a naturally occurring toxic metal that contaminates the air and ocean by burning coal. So at some level, everyone alive has mercury exposure. But, if you include fish in your diet you may experience higher levels of mercury exposure due to bioaccumulation. Bacteria and phytoplankton take up mercury. Small fish eat the bacteria and phytoplankton and accumulate mercury. Large fish like tuna eat the small fish and have large amounts of mercury in them.
Pregnant women are most at risk for mercury exposure. Even low-dose mercury exposure can interfere with fetal brain development. Mercury can also interfere with hormones in women that help regulate their menstrual cycle and ovulation.
Tuna (and other big fish) and Meats
Decrease your mercury exposure by eliminating or reducing tuna and other big fish from your diet. Smaller fish, such as sardines are not as overfished, and while some people consider them “fishier,” they are packed with 100% goodness, such amazing protein, calcium and fat content, and there are many tasty options of tinned fish.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals also accumulate in other animal products, as they accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals, also through bioaccumulation. Fat is good for you, but those chemicals are not. Choose Organic meats and small fish when possible.
Remove or really limit consumption: tuna, shark, swordfish, orange roughy, king mackerel, marlin, bluefin or tilefish. And, if you have small children, I would absolutely recommend not feeding them any of those fishes.
Best choices (very high omega-3s, low mercury): Wild caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, mussels, rainbow trout, and Atlantic mackerel.
Good choices (high omega-3s, low mercury): Oysters, anchovies, pollock, and herring.
Low mercury, but low omega-3s: Shrimp, catfish, tilapia, and scallops.
Mercury risks add up (limit or avoid): Canned light and albacore tuna, halibut, lobster, and sea bass.
Tuna specifically;
Tuna consumption recommendations
Canned light tuna: The Environmental Working Group advises that children have no more than one serving per week due to mercury content.
Canned albacore (“white”) tuna: This type has significantly higher mercury levels than light tuna (which are actually baby/small Tunas) and should be avoided by children, or eaten no more than once a month at most.
Tuna steaks and sushi: These are often made with higher-mercury species like yellowfin and bluefin, and the EWG recommends that children and pregnant women avoid them whenever possible.
To summarize, we can’t avoid EDCs completely, but we can reduce our overall toxic burden. And in the case of chemicals that disrupt our hormones, dose does NOT make the poison. Very low levels of EDCs can cause major disruptions in the functioning of our hormones, and not just ours, but the children, the men and the unborn ones. Start making the switch products and materials that are body and environmentally friendly. Do it for yourself, our children, the four-legged and winged ones and of course, Mother Earth and the ecosystem.
