Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Latest News
Beyond choking oceans and clogging landfills, plastics are now infiltrating our bodies through microplastic particles and a cocktail of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
What is the Endocrine System?
- The endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. Hormones are the body's chemical messengers.
- They carry information and instructions from one set of cells to another.
- The endocrine system influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies.
About Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
- EDCs are natural or man-made chemicals that interfere with the normal function of your body’s endocrine system.
- Since EDCs come from many different sources, people are exposed in several ways, including the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.
- EDCs also can enter the body through the skin.
- EDCs interfere with the way the body’s hormones work.
- Some EDCs act like "hormone mimics" and trick our body into thinking that they are hormones, while other EDCs block natural hormones from doing their job.
- Other EDCs can increase or decrease the levels of hormones in our blood by affecting how they are made, broken down, or stored in our body.
- Finally, other EDCs can change how sensitive our bodies are to different hormones.
- There are approximately 85,000 man-made chemicals in the world, with at least 1,000 classifiable as EDCs.
- Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are common examples of EDCs found in plastic.
Source: TH
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals FAQs
Q1: What are Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?
Ans: Chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormonal system.
Q2: How can EDCs enter the human body?
Ans: Through food, air, water, and skin contact.
Q3: Which system of the human body is primarily affected by EDCs?
Ans: Endocrine system.
Q4: Which are the are common of EDCs found in plastic?
Ans: Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are common examples of EDCs found in plastic.
