Toxic Ties: Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Exposure in our Everyday Lives (Part 2)
Blair Michal, Circularity Coordinator / 10 Minute Read
Welcome to the second installment of the “Toxic Ties” series, where we explore the correlation between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in everyday products and their impact on public and reproductive health. In this article, we outline common EDCs and simple yet effective ways to minimize exposure.
Understanding EDCs
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) subtly infiltrate our bodies, mimicking naturally occurring hormones. EDCs hide in everyday consumer products, from plastics to cleaning supplies. Their effects are also far reaching—they disrupt hormonal balance, impacting fertility, immune function, neurological disorders, cancer risk and overall well-being. One study estimates that exposure to EDCs is resulting in billions of dollars of health care costs associated with female reproductive disorders alone.
Mackenzie Ewing, who has focused her career in the foodservice and packaging industries, knows she’s experienced the harmful impacts of EDCs firsthand. “While working through ten years of unexplained fertility problems I began looking into the external factors that may be contributing. I was astonished by the number of harmful chemicals that are present in ‘everyday’ products I was using. From my sunscreen to my deodorant and even my moisturizing products, there were endocrine disrupting PFAS in 90% of the products I was using on a daily basis.”
After conducting her own research to reduce her chemical burden, she is feeling more empowered. “I don’t know if the damage is reversible, but I know that now, I am moving forward in a healthier and more sustainable direction. My hope is that younger women are more educated and aware of what they are exposing their own bodies to.”
Understanding EDCs
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) subtly infiltrate our bodies, mimicking naturally occurring hormones. EDCs hide in everyday consumer products, from plastics to cleaning supplies. Their effects are also far reaching—they disrupt hormonal balance, impacting fertility, immune function, neurological disorders, cancer risk and overall well-being. One study estimates that exposure to EDCs is resulting in billions of dollars of health care costs associated with female reproductive disorders alone.
Mackenzie Ewing, who has focused her career in the foodservice and packaging industries, knows she’s experienced the harmful impacts of EDCs firsthand. “While working through ten years of unexplained fertility problems I began looking into the external factors that may be contributing. I was astonished by the number of harmful chemicals that are present in ‘everyday’ products I was using. From my sunscreen to my deodorant and even my moisturizing products, there were endocrine disrupting PFAS in 90% of the products I was using on a daily basis.”
After conducting her own research to reduce her chemical burden, she is feeling more empowered. “I don’t know if the damage is reversible, but I know that now, I am moving forward in a healthier and more sustainable direction. My hope is that younger women are more educated and aware of what they are exposing their own bodies to.”
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) hide in everyday consumer products, from plastics to cleaning supplies.
Six Common Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals:
Please refer below for six of the most common endocrine disrupting chemicals, common sources, and recommendations for lessening exposure.
BPA & BPS
Flame Retardants
Fragrance
Please refer below for six of the most common endocrine disrupting chemicals, common sources, and recommendations for lessening exposure.
BPA & BPS
- Description: BPA is an industrial chemical used to make hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate. It is also used in the lining of some cans.
- Side Effects: Disrupts thyroid function, increases risk of certain cancers, compromises fertility, and may accelerate puberty.
- Common Sources: Receipts, hard water bottles, canned food, aluminum cans, water pipes. Thankfully, the FDA banned BPA in baby bottles in 2012, and there has been general momentum towards “BPA-free” products and canned goods. However, these products may contain a regrettable substitution. In recent years, BPS has come to replace BPA in food packaging. Little research has been done to determine the safety of BPS before these BPA-free products were marketed as a healthier alternative. A study on the Library of Medicine website, shows that BPS may be even more harmful than BPA in certain parts of the body.
- Recommendations: Opt for email receipts, no receipt, or the cashier dropping it in your bag. Choose BPA-free aluminum or steel cans or glass alternatives.
Flame Retardants
- Description: Flame retardants are a group of hundreds of chemicals used to prevent fire spread in common household items. The most commonly used type, brominated flame retardants, belongs to the same chemical class as PCBs (banned by the EPA in 1979).
- Side Effects: Flame retardants can cause endocrine disruption, thyroid issues, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cancer, and adverse effects on fetal and child development.
- Sources: These chemicals are found in furniture foams, carpets, curtains, paints, food packaging, home insulation, appliances, toys, car seats, and many baby products. Children, due to their developing bodies and brains, are particularly at risk from exposure to flame retardant-laden items like carpets and toys.
- Recommendation: Opt for certified non-toxic textiles, paints, toys, and baby products to minimize exposure.
Fragrance
- Description: Fragrance ingredients consist of nearly 3,000 compounds that emit a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Unfortunately, labels are not required to disclose individual fragrance ingredients and therefore consumers are left in the dark on what they’re exposing themselves to.
- Side Effects: Exposure to fragranced products can lead to allergies, asthma, cardiovascular issues, and neurological problems.
- Common Sources: Fragrances are found in candles, air fresheners, perfumes, shampoos, soaps, and household cleaning products. Watch out for terms like “parfum,” “perfume,” or “fragrance” on labels.
- Recommendations: Opt for unscented products and fragrance-free alternatives; Choose essential oils from trusted brands; Create DIY stove-top “scents” for a natural fragrance experience; Choose to go unscented
It is essential for consumers to make the most informed decisions for themselves and their families
Parabens
Phthalates
Moving Forward with Informed Choices
As we navigate the world of endocrine disruptors, it’s essential for consumers to make the most informed decisions for themselves and their families. Fortunately, we now have more tools at our disposal than ever before to support safer purchasing, including certifications, labels, apps and guides.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, here are some common non-toxic or low-toxic consumer product certifications to consider:
- Description: Parabens are chemicals that are commonly used as preservatives. They have been deemed safe by the EPA but are a known EDC.
- Side Effects: Exposure to parabens has been correlated with breast cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive harm, infertility, and skin irritation.
- Common Sources: Parabens are largely used to prohibit bacteria, fungi, yeast and mold growth in consumer products. Look out for ingredients ending in methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, or isobutyl in beauty products and methylparaben (E218), heptylparaben (E209), and ethylparaben (E214) in food and beverage products.
- Recommendations: Opt for non-toxic personal care products and consumer goods stating that they are “paraben-free.”
Phthalates
- Description: Phthalates are chemicals that make plastic flexible.
- Side Effects: Besides general endocrine-disrupting effects, phthalates like DEHP can harm the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Studies link them to a 14-16% increase in global preterm births.
- Sources: Phthalates are so widespread, the CDC has found them in most of the American population, especially children and women of child-bearing age. This is because phthalates are found in a wide variety of personal care, cleaning and toy products, such as shampoos, perfumes, vinyl flooring, plastic pipes, toys and detergents.
- Recommendations: Be aware of flexible plastics and PVC piping. Whenever possible, choose phthalate-free and fragrance-free personal care products. There is good news, too. The FDA banned phthalates in new kids’ PVC toys in 2008, and some states like Maine and Washington restrict their use in food packaging and cosmetics.
Moving Forward with Informed Choices
As we navigate the world of endocrine disruptors, it’s essential for consumers to make the most informed decisions for themselves and their families. Fortunately, we now have more tools at our disposal than ever before to support safer purchasing, including certifications, labels, apps and guides.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, here are some common non-toxic or low-toxic consumer product certifications to consider:
- EWG Verified: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) verifies products based on their safety and transparency. Look for the EWG Verified label on personal care items, cleaning products, and more, and scan product barcodes in their EWG Healthy Living and Skin Safe apps.
- USDA Organic: For food and agricultural products, the USDA Organic certification ensures that the product meets strict organic standards, minimizing exposure to pesticides and synthetic chemicals.
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): GOTS-certified textiles guarantee organic and sustainable production, from fiber to finished product. Look for this label on clothing, bedding, and fabrics.
- GREENGUARD: GREENGUARD-certified products meet strict indoor air quality standards. It’s particularly relevant for furniture, paints, and building materials.
- EPA Safer Choice: Products with the EPA Safer Choice label meet rigorous safety and environmental criteria. Look for this certification on cleaning products, detergents, and other household items.
Author Profile
Blair Michal
Circularity Coordinator
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Earth Pulse is an advocacy blog produced by Better Earth. It is intended to help inform and educate about the urgent issues around sustainability, the environment, and social justice, through posts from a variety of authors.
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