Endocrine disruptors are chemicals in our environment that act like hormones and interfere or disrupt the endocrine system (a system consisting of all the hormone producing glands in our body, which are controlled by the pituitary and hypothalamus through a system of hormonal feedback). In recent years studies have clearly shown that endocrine disruptors may exacerbate the development of breast cancer, reduce sperm counts and interfere with growth and development (infertility, learning and behavioural disorders in children etc).

Evidence of the disruptive effects of endocrine disruptors on wildlife is plentiful, such as feminized roosters, eggshell thinning in birds of prey and wild birds forming same sex pairs, while failing to show nesting behaviour and neglecting their young. High mortality rates in wild otters, mink pups, great white bears, bottle nose and stripped dolphins and harbour seals etc.

Endocrine disruptors are synthetic compounds that mimic a natural hormone when absorbed by the body and can turn on, turn off or change normal signals and natural responses. Examples of endocrine disruptors are found everywhere, they make our plastic products softer and easier to handle, used in the lining of tin cans, dental sealants, clothing dye, toys, skin products, flame-retardants, cars, computer casings, disinfectant bleaches etc.

Many industrial processes, including the incineration of waste products, put endocrine disruptors back into the food chain where they can be absorbed and stored in animal fat and thus found in dairy products, meat, fish, and breast milk. Some endocrine disruptors are banned in new products, although some are highly stable and degrade over years or decades. The most common endocrine disruptor chemicals are Dioxin, Bisphenol-A, Parabens, Phthalates, PCB’s, PBDE’s, pesticides and herbicides and heavy metals.

What can we do about endocrine disruptors? Most importantly, be informed and more aware of our exposure to endocrine isruptors in our daily lives.

- Choose and prepare your food intelligently by eating organic if possible, avoid tinned foods and wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly. 

- Take a daily wide-spectrum multivitamin with essential fatty acids as well as a probiotic.

- Be alert of the endocrine disruptors contained in sprays, lotions, cosmetics, toiletries, and find chemical-free alternatives.

- Know your water supply and avoid storing food and liquids in soft plastic containers. Invest in a glass or earthenware water jug and never microwave in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap (endocrine disruptors are released from plastic by heat exposure). Do not allow infants to chew on soft plastic toys.

- Get politically active and support cleaner air and water initiatives. Humans are extremely adaptive and learn at a breathtaking pace. We will all benefit from a reduced exposure to endocrine disruptors.

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