A new study reveals billions worldwide are exposed to harmful health effects from chemicals in plastics, pesticides and "forever chemicals," according to a report by the Endocrine Society and International Pollutants Elimination Network.
Saul Elbein reports for The Hill.
In short:
- Scientists criticize current regulatory approaches to determining chemical toxicity, suggesting no level of exposure to certain compounds may be safe.
- The report links the increased production of chemicals and plastics to a rise in endocrine-related disorders, including obesity and decreased male fertility.
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), found in various consumer products, are associated with significant health risks, especially to fetuses and young children.
Key quote:
"It’s a public health problem if people who want to have families can’t have them."
— Andrea Gore, lead author and endocrinologist at the University of Texas
Why this matters:
EDCs are found in a wide range of products, including plastics, pesticides, personal care products and industrial chemicals. These chemicals can mimic, block or otherwise interfere with the body's hormones, the chemical messengers that regulate various bodily functions such as metabolism, reproduction and growth.
Want to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about endocrine-disrupting chemicals and how to avoid them.
