The endocrine system is responsible for the proper functioning and regulation of hormones. The system is interfered with by the chemical compounds called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Endocrine disruptors have caused changes in human health patterns that have led accumulation of health challenges like genital malformations, the emergence of different types of cancer, and retarded sexual development. To minimize human exposure to EDCs, consuming organic products, avoiding plastics, and washing hands regularly is appropriate. Production of better and safer products without EDCs reduces environmental contamination and promotes sustainability in supply chain channels.
One known EDC is Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used as a raw material in the production of polycarbonate. BPA finds its way to the environment directly through manufacturing wastes, plastic coating, and chemicals or indirectly by substances that leach out from plastic and industrial wastes. Human exposure to BPA is through drinking or eating food stored in containers that contain BPA. Children are exposed to BPA through oral and hand-to-mouth contact with BPA substances. BPA is transported to the environment through various means, such as landfill runoff, industrial waste, and plastic product leaching. Accumulation of BPA in the environment persists for a long time and degrades at a slow rate. BPA exerts detrimental effects on endocrine systems by activating specific receptors and epigenetic modifications, leading to the induction of transcription factors (Ma et al., 2019). BPA leads to health effects such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular and type-2 diabetes.
Phthalates are another chemical EDC substance that disrupts the endocrine system, leading to adverse obstetrical outcomes, decreased fecundity, and pregnancy loss. Phthalates are found in lubricating oil, medical devices, or personal care products. Phthalate substances are emitted into the environment during the manufacturing process of plastic products. The daily use of plastic products, the leaching, and the oxidation of plastic products result in the emission of phthalates into the environment. Human exposure to phthalates is through eating food contaminated with products consisting of phthalates. Another exposure is a result of inhalation of phthalate substances in the air. The phthalates chemical affects humans by causing endocrine disruption that interferes with the androgen system (Eales et al., 2022). As a result, this leads to chronic exposure that affects the endocrine system and causes dysfunction of body organs.
EDC Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) produces a non-stick coating like Teflon. The product can be found in stain-resistant products or food packages. PFOA is released into the environment by disposing of PFOA substances from industrial manufacturing industries. People are exposed to PFOA by using products that contain PFOA and drinking contaminated water. Employees at perfluorochemical manufacturing firms are easily contaminated with PFOA substances. PFOA products persist in the environment, and air and water are the primary agents that transport the product. PFOA chemical is exerted on the endocrine system that disrupts the endocrine system (Mojiri et al., 2023). This leads to adverse effects such as liver and kidney damage.
Polybrominated diphenyl enters (PBDEs) endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are artificial organic bromine substances used as retardants of frames and plastics in electrical equipment. PBDEs are released into the environment through recycling processes and industrial emissions, and liquid is disposed of from waste. People are exposed to PBDEs by consuming contaminated food or inhaling contaminated air. The mechanism effects involve PBDEs affecting the thyroid hormone homeostasis, leading to the interference of the thyroid hormone system and disruption of the endocrine system (Poston & Saha, 2019). This leads to various adverse health conditions, such as abnormality of the thyroid hormones
In conclusion, EDCs are consumer products that enter the environment through disposal from industries and other means. Humans are exposed to EDCs through various ingestion of contaminated water or food, inhalation of contaminated air, and dust or dermal contact. The endocrine system is disrupted by EDCs, which interferes with normal body function. This leads to health effects such as the development of cancer and dysfunction of the immune.
References
Eales, J., Bethel, A., Galloway, T., Hopkinson, P., Morrissey, K., Short, R. E., & Garside, R. (2022). Human health impacts of exposure to phthalate plasticizers: An overview of reviews. Environment international, p. 158, 106903. Web.
Ma, Y., Liu, H., Wu, J., Yuan, L., Wang, Y., Du, X., Wang, R., Marwa, P.W., Petlulu, P., Chen, X., & Zhang, H. (2019). The adverse health effects of bisphenol A and related toxicity mechanisms. Environmental Research, 176, 108575. Web.
Mojiri, A., Nazari Vishkaei, M., Ansari, H. K., Vakili, M., Farraji, H., & Kasmuri, N. (2023). Toxicity effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on two green microalgae species. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 2446. Web.
Poston, R. G., & Saha, R. N. (2019). Epigenetic effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on human health. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(15), 2703.