Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in food packaging, plastics and household items can harm human health, but simple lifestyle changes can help reduce exposure.
Allie Miller reports for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
In short:
- EDCs mimic hormones, disrupting the endocrine system and contributing to issues like cancer, diabetes and infertility.
- Reducing plastic use, such as avoiding food stored in plastic and using alternatives like glass, can cut exposure.
- Labels like “BPA free” may not guarantee safety, as substitutes like BPS and BPF are also harmful.
Key quote:
“Don’t be worried, be careful. I don’t think this is a cause for panic, but I think it’s a cause for change, changes in behavior, and an awareness."
— Shanna Swan, environmental and reproductive epidemiologist and the author of “Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race.”
Why this matters:
EDCs are pervasive in modern products and linked to serious health conditions. Families can reduce risks through informed choices, especially for vulnerable groups like children, who are more susceptible to chemical exposure.
Related EHN coverage: WATCH: Dr. Shanna Swan on chemicals, hormones and our reproductive health
