Hormone Disruptors and Human Health

Hormone-disrupting chemicals are not just an ecological concern. Studies of ordinary people show that our own bodies typically are contaminated with low levels of phthalates, bisphenol A, and triclosan (Calafat 2005; CDC 2005; Wolff 2007). The sources of this pollution in people include many ordinary consumer products, such as cosmetics, canned foods, and “antibacterial” soaps and cleaning agents. Recent research indicates that chemicals that interfere with the hormone system can cause adverse health effects in laboratory animals at levels as low as 1 part per trillion (Wozniak 2005).Already, epidemiological evidence suggests that people may be experiencing health effects caused by exposures to hormone-disrupting chemicals. Adult men with higher levels of phthalates in their bodies are more likely to show signs of hormonal disturbance, including reduced sperm concentration and motility, increased damage to sperm DNA, and altered hormone levels (Duty 2003, 2004, 2005; Hauser 2007). Baby boys exposed to higher levels of phthalates in the womb or in breast milk are more likely to display reproductive system abnormalities (Swan 2005). And women with polycystic ovarian disorder, a leading cause of female infertility, or those who suffer recurrent miscarriages, are more likely to have higher levels of bisphenol A in their blood (Sugiura-Ogasawara 2005; Takeuchi 2006). Though no epidemiological studies of triclosan are available, a recent animal study suggests that this substance may be a potent disruptor of the thyroid system (Veldhoen 2006).These studies indicate that taking action now to reduce your exposures to hormone-disrupting chemicals may benefit the health of you and your family, as well as the health of the surrounding environment.Hormone-disrupting chemicals are found in many consumer products and contaminate wastewater from a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial sites. For example,

• Hormone-disrupting Chemical: Phtalates
  Wastewater samples contaminated: Homes, Nail salon, Laundries, Pet wash, Medical centers, Manufacturing, Treated wastewater

• Consumer Products: Perfumes & personal care products containing “fragrance”; Nail polish; flexible & PVC/vinyl plastic, including food wrap, building materials, toys, IV tubing, blood & fluid storage bags; Adhesives, inks, pill coatings, detergents; Many others Health Effects: Phthalate exposure is linked to male reproductive system problems including feminization of baby boys (Swan 2005), altered hormone levels in baby boys and men (Duty 2005; Main 2006), reduced sperm concentration and motility and increased sperm DNA damage in men (Duty 2003, 2004; Hauser 2007).
  Hormone-disrupting Chemical: Bisphenol A (BPA)

• Wastewater samples contaminated: Industrial laundry, Pharmaceutical & Paper products manufacturing, Treated wastewater
• Consumer Products: Polycarbonate plastic including hard plastic water & water cooler bottles, hard plastic baby bottles, plastic silverware, Lexan products, and many items labeled plastic #7 or “PC”; Linings of food and beverage cans; Dental sealants

• Health Effects: BPA exposure is linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome, the most common form of infertility in the U.S. (Takeuchi 2006), as well as to recurrent miscarriage and reduced levels of an essential sex hormone in men (Hanaoka 2002; Sugiura-Ogasawara 2005). Over 100 animal studies reveal a wide array of adverse health effects caused by low dose exposures in utero (Myers 2006).

• Hormone-disrupting Chemical: Triclosan
  Wastewater samples contaminated: Laundries, Veterinary & Medical centers, Plastic bag manufacturing, Treated wastewater.

• Consumer Products: “Antibacterial” hand soap, toothpaste, personal care products;
  “Antibacterial” detergents & cleaning products; “Antibacterial” plastic & foam items including shoe insoles, plastic cutting boards
  Health Effects: Triclosan causes thyroid disruption in frogs at low levels found in many streams (Veldhoen 2006); human and frog thyroid signaling systems are nearly identical. In tap water and in lakes and streams, triclosan forms chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems, and known to accumulate in animals (Adolfsson-Erici 2002, Lindstrom 2002; Balmer 2004; Lores 2005; Fiss 2007).

EWG, Sept 2007, www.ewg.org