Endocrine Disruptors-
Impact on Health and
Environment
Dr. Salini Krishnarao Kandhalu
Definition: Endocrine Disruptors
• Exogenous agents (natural or man made)that interfere with the
synthesis, storage or release, transport, metabolism, binding action or
elimination of the natural blood borne hormones responsible for the
regulation of homeostasis and the regulation of developmental
process.(kavlock et al.1996)
• Can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental
disorders
• Purpose of presentation: Explain sources, effects, and ways to reduce
exposure to Synthetic or natural chemicals
How do we encounter these
chemicals?
• Everyday products- cosmetics, food and beverage
packaging, toys, carpet, and pesticides.
• Flame retardants
• Contact with these chemicals may occur through air,
diet, skin, and water.
• According to the Endocrine Society, there are nearly
85,000 human-made chemicals in the world, and 1,000
or more of those could be endocrine disruptors.
Most common and well-studied EDCs -
unique properties
• Atrazine is one of the most commonly applied
herbicides in the world, often used to control weeds in
corn, sorghum, and sugarcane crops.
• Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make polycarbonate
plastics and epoxy resins. It is used in manufacturing,
food packaging, toys, and other applications. BPA
resins may be found in the lining of some canned
foods and beverages.
• Dioxins are a byproduct of herbicide production and
paper bleaching. They can be released into the air
from waste burning and wildfires
• Perchlorate is a colorless salt manufactured and used
as an industrial chemical to make rockets, explosives,
and fireworks- found in some groundwater.
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a
large group of chemicals used widely in industrial
applications, such as firefighting foam, nonstick
pans, paper, and textile coatings.
• Phthalates are a large group of compounds used as
liquid plasticizers. They are found in hundreds of
products including some food packaging, cosmetics,
fragrances, children’s toys, and medical device tubing.
Cosmetics that may contain phthalates include nail
polish, hair spray, aftershave lotion, cleanser, and
shampoo.
• Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring substances
with hormone-like activity found in some plants; they
may have a similar effect to estrogen produced by the
body.
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are used to
make flame retardants for products such as furniture
foam and carpet.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used to
make electrical equipment, such as transformers, and
are in hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants,
and plasticizers. PCBs were mass-produced globally
until they were banned in 1979.
• Triclosan is an ingredient that was previously added to
some antimicrobial and personal care products, like
liquid body wash and soaps.
Examples and sources of endocrine
Disruptors
• Consumer Products
• Plastics, cosmetics, detergents
• Industrial Processes
• Manufacturing byproducts
• Agriculture
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Environmental Contaminants
• Air, water, soil pollution
[Link] care products
• Triclosan:
Antimicrobial and personal care products, like liquid
body wash and soaps.
• Phthalates:
Food packaging, cosmetics, fragrances, children’s
toys, and medical device tubing.
Cosmetics -nail polish, hair spray, aftershave lotion,
cleanser, and shampoo.
• Studies show that human breast milk contain
the breakdown products of these chemicals.
[Link], Herbicide and
Fungicides
• Endosulfan
• DDT
• Vinclosan
• Atrazine - herbicides ,control weeds in corn, sorghum, and
sugarcane crops.
• They have the maximum effect on thyroid hormone,
• Precocious puberty, cervical cancer, endometriosis, recurrent abortion and
other estrogen related disorders
• TERATOGENICITY
• ANTI-ANDROGENIC
[Link] and naturally occurring
hormones
• Phytoestrogens
• Diethylstilbesterol
• Xenoestrogens
• FOOD like soya, citrus, wheat and pulses-
Behave as estrogen/antiestrogen
• Disrupt male reproductive system
• Precancerous- estrogen related.
[Link]
• Lead, Mercury, Arsenic and Cadmium.
Mechanisms of Action
• How They Disrupt the
Endocrine System
• Mimicking natural hormones
• Blocking hormone receptors
• Altering hormone production
and breakdown
• Stimulation and inhibition of
hormones
Common Health Effects
• Dermatological Effects: Abnormal skin pigmentation
• Reproductive Effects :
MALE: Abnormal sperm morphology and reduced motility.
FEMALE: Precautious puberty, menstrual disturbances, breast cancer, Hirsutism.
• Developmental Effects
• Birth defects, developmental delays, IUGR, lower IQ,
• Chronic Diseases
• Cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases,
• Neurological Effects
• Behavioral changes, cognitive impairments, dementia.
EDCs effect on Thyroid gland
Environmental Impact
• Effects on Wildlife
• Reproductive issues in fish, birds, and mammals
• Ecosystem Disruption
• Bioaccumulation and biomagnification in food chains
Regulatory and Policy
Responses
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences(NIEHS)
• NIEHS has been a pioneer in supporting and conducting research on the
health effects of EDCs
• This research leads to a greater understanding of how EDCs may harm
health and cause disease.
• NIEHS began with studies on the EDCs of the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES)
from the 1940s through the 1970s.
• The goals are identifying
1. Key characteristics
2. Understanding both individual chemicals and mixtures
3. Evaluating potential health effects on humans in the areas of Cancer,
Neurodevelopment, Obesity and metabolism, Reproduction andThyroid
function
Advancements of NIEHS
1. Developing new models and tools to better understand how they
work.
2. Improving ways to identify endocrine-disrupting substances
3. Understanding linkages between exposures and health effects. •
4. Forming strategies to reduce or prevent exposures.
• International Agreements
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
• National Regulations
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines
• European Union REACH regulations
Reducing Exposure
• EDCs cannot be completely avoided or removed; however, we can make
informed choices to reduce exposure and risk of any potential health effects.
• Personal Actions
• Choosing BPA-free products
• Reducing plastic use
• Using natural or organic personal care products
• Community and Advocacy
• Supporting stricter regulations
• Promoting environmental awareness
Future Directions
• Research Needs
• Understanding low-dose effects
• Identifying new disruptors
• Innovative Solutions
• Green chemistry
• Improved detection and monitoring
• Final Thoughts
• Importance of awareness and action to protect health and the environment
REFERENCES
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2012). State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals - 2012. Available at: WHO Report
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Endocrine Disruptors.
Available at: NIEHS Endocrine Disruptors
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program.
Available at: EPA Endocrine Disruptors
• Environmental Health Perspectives. Impacts of Endocrine Disruptors on Wildlife. Available
at: EHP Wildlife Impact
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Available at:
Stockholm Convention
• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). REACH. Available at: ECHA REACH
• Environmental Working Group (EWG). Tips to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors. Available at:
EWG Tips
Thank you
Thank you
