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Top 5 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals List

What are Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals?

Our endocrine system is what controls our thyroid hormones, reproductive hormones, and insulin production. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals interfere with our body’s production of those hormones. They do so by either mimicking estrogen or testosterone, or by blocking hormone receptors. As a result, this confuses our body and results in an over or underproduction of certain hormones.

Changes in hormone function due to endocrine disruptors can result in increased cancer risk, fertility issues, early onset of puberty, neurological issues, diabetes, and more (1).

Keep reading to find my top 5 endocrine-disrupting chemicals list and easy ways to avoid them.

The Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical in your Plastic

Carton containing blue single use plastic water bottles — Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA, which stands for bisphenol A, is a concerning endocrine disruptor due to how widespread it is. A huge source of BPA is plastic. It leaches into your food and water when the plastic is heated, exposed to sunlight, or when used to store acidic foods like tomatoes. It can also spread through direct hand/mouth contact via things like receipts or plastic baby toys.

Why should you be concerned about BPA?

BPA is linked to thyroid disruption, as well as neurological and developmental effects on fetuses and children (3).
One CDC study took 2517 urine samples in people ages 6 and older and found 93% contaminated with BPA (2).
It can leach from plastic containers into your food and water
Mouthing plastic toys can expose your baby to BPA

Due to concerns of BPA exposure, many plastics are now being produced without BPA. However, BPA free alternatives often just contain a different chemical from the same family that are nearly identical to BPA, like BPA/BPF/BPG (4). Therefore, it is best to avoid plastics as much as possible.

Common Sources of BPA

Plastic sandwich bags – Ditch disposable sandwich bags for reusable silicone bags from brands like Stasher, or these for a more affordable option
Plastic wrap – Use cotton beeswax wrap instead
Plastic water bottles – Go for glass like this one by Lifefactory, or a stainless steel water bottle.
Plastic baby bottles – Avent and Como Tomo make great glass and silicone options, respectively
Receipts – Opt for a digital receipt instead of a physical one
Soda cans – Another excuse to stop drinking soda. Stick to water or drinks in glass bottles
Canned goods – Look for fresh, frozen, or bulk food items that you can put in your own glass container

The Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical in your Personal Care Products

Three different sized personal care items on display on a white countertop — Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care products. They’re used to make plastics more flexible, and are also used to prolong the fragrances and color in cosmetic (4). It is also found in many common personal care products.

Why should you be concerned about Phthalates?

Like BPA, exposure to phthalates happens when it leaches into food and water.
They have been linked to not only thyroid disruption, but also adverse reproductive effects, insulin resistance, and increased blood pressure (4).

Common Sources of Phthalates

Cosmetics and personal care products like lotions, soaps, shampoo – Stick to unscented personal care items
Perfume – Choose high-quality, roll on essential oils as an alternative
Children’s toys – Opt for wooden toys
Deodorant – Go with unscented options from Native or Hume
Laundry detergent – Use Free & Clear or Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets for an eco friendly option
Dryer sheets – Wool Dryer balls are a natural alternative to fabric softeners

The Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical in your Cookware

Nonstick fry pan — Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS)

PFAS stands for Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are a group of chemicals that include PFOS and PFOA. It is most commonly known as a chemical used in the production of Teflon products, but it is also found in water repellent and stain fighting products.

Contamination from manufacturing is one way we end up with endocrine-disrupting chemicals in water. With PFAS specifically, it is made up of very strong chemical bonds, which makes it hard to break down in our body and the environment. Our body doesn’t know how to metabolize, or process, PFAS, so it goes into our tissues. Not only has PFAS been found in the blood of Teflon manufacturing employees, but it is also found in the blood of people all over the world.

Why should you be concerned about PFAS?

In rodent studies, PFAS has been found in the liver, kidneys, and blood stream (5).
It can take years for the levels of PFAS chemicals in contaminated water to decrease.

Overall studies in humans are limited but due to the concerns that PFAS has on the environment, as well as studies of adverse health effects in rodents, this is a chemical you definitely want to avoid.

Common Sources of PFAS

Nonstick pots and pans – Check out my post on safer alternatives like cast iron and stainless steel
Grease-resistant food packages like microwave popcorn – Buy loose kernels and cook on stovetop
Drinking contaminated water – Use either a counter top, under sink, or whole house water filter

The Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical in your Food

Row of dairy cows lined up at an animal farm — Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

Dioxins

Dioxins are a group of highly toxic chemicals that are byproducts of certain manufacturing processes. These are known to be persistent environmental pollutants (POPs) and are recognized by the World Health Organization for their highly toxic potential to affect numerous organs and systems.

Since dioxin exposure increases up the food chain, “more than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish”(9).

Why should you be concerned about Dioxins?

They are absorbed by fat tissue and can take as much as a decade to break down
Health effects of dioxins include altered liver, immune, and reproductive function, as well as increased cancer risk.

Common Sources of Dioxins

Animal products like meat and dairy – Trim the fat from meat and opt for low fat or dairy free alternatives
Seafood and shellfish – Look for wild caught seafood for lower levels of contaminants

The Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical in your Couch

Beige upholstered couch — Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

Flame Retardants

One of the biggest concerns with flame retardants is thyroid disruption. Flame retardants have been well studied to show thyroid disruption, and can be detected in human tissues (7).

Why should you be concerned about Flame Retardants?

Can cause thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s
Household dust can be contaminated with flame retardants and increase risk for thyroid cancer (8)
Difficult to break down and build up in people over time

Sources of Flame Retardants

Dust particles – Wet mop and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and change your HVAC filter frequently
Older foam couches – Look for furniture without polyurethane foam

Overall, it can be hard to entirely avoid exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. They are found in more products than you know, but starting in your very own home is a great place to start. If you start small and make these changes at home, you are taking the first step in creating a healthier home and reducing your exposure.

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