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February 28, 2024
A new report authored by leading scientific and medical experts on hormone-related health conditions has raised alarms about the significant threats posed to human health by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are pervasive in our environment and everyday lives.
Titled “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Threats to Human Health,” the report provides a comprehensive overview of the latest scientific research on EDCs, indicating that these toxic substances may be linked to a range of global health concerns.
Co-produced by the Endocrine Society and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), the report delves into the sources of EDC exposure, including plastics, pesticides, consumer products, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Presented during the U.N. Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) meeting in Nairobi, the report coincides with discussions on addressing the global challenges posed by chemical pollution and hazardous substances.
Lead author Andrea C. Gore, PhD, of the University of Texas at Austin, emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, “A growing body of scientific evidence points to the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in contributing to reproductive disorders, cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and other serious health conditions. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.”
Hormones play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, and exposure to EDCs can interfere with hormonal activity, leading to increased risks of numerous health conditions, including diabetes, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, inflammation, and compromised immune function.
The report highlights the escalating crisis of chemical and plastic pollution, with plastics and pesticides being major sources of EDC exposure. Glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, has been found to exhibit EDC-like properties, while plastics contain toxic substances such as bisphenols and phthalates, known or suspected to be EDCs.
Sara Brosché, Ph.D., IPEN Science Advisor, underscored the need for updated regulations based on the latest scientific understanding, stating, “Current regulations often fail to address the unique characteristics of EDCs, including their ability to cause harm at low doses. We need a global approach to controlling EDCs to safeguard human health and the environment.”
IPEN also released a new report on “The Global Threat from Highly Hazardous Pesticides,” highlighting ongoing health and environmental risks from these substances, including glyphosate and other chemicals identified as EDCs in the Endocrine Society report.
The report’s findings serve as a call to action for policymakers and regulators to prioritize the mitigation of EDC exposure and adopt measures to protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of these chemicals.
