Endocrine Disruptors

While we understand that learning about endocrine disruptors can be alarming to concerned parents, we wanted to provide a bit more in depth information.

Endocrine disruptors were, for years, referred to as estrogen disruptors we now know they play a much broader role in our lives and especially during early pregnancy. The cellular effects can be seen at very low doses, often times at lower than established "safe" exposure limits.

These are toxic chemicals which interfere with or mimic the hormonal processes when introduced into the bodies of humans and animals.

The reason this is so important to understand is that the endocrine system influences virtually every aspect of the development of children during early pregnancy.

Calling these toxic chemicals simply "disruptors" is far too one dimensional because their effects are sinister and so far reaching that they have invaded virtually every aspect of our lives.

You can eliminate many of these toxins simply by choosing to use organic skin care products, organic body care products, organic cosmetics and organic baby products.

These chemicals often have a synergistic or multiplier effect when combined. In most cases a small amount of one, two or three different chemicals when combined do not produce two or three small exposures but rather a much higher number, and in some cases much more devastating, level of exposure.

When this takes place during early pregnancy the possible negative effects to fetal development are magnified many fold.

The following is a list of the most common endocrine disruptors and what types of products contain them.

Most Common Endocrine Disruptors

Bisphenol-A (BPA)

These synthetic chemical substances are used to make the plastics found in drink and food containers, the lining of tin and aluminum cans, plastic wraps, sport and baby bottles, flame retardants and toys. This chemical is known to easily leach out of the plastics into the food and water or onto humans who come in contact with products that contain it and is one of the most widespread endocrine disruptors.

Parabens

These synthetic chemical compounds are petroleum based and are used as preservatives in virtually all cosmetics, skin care products and personal care products that are not certified organic. Parabens are also found in many non organic foods and in many pharmaceutical products.

Phthalates

These are synthetic chemicals used to make plastics flexible and softer. Phthalates are found in toys, colognes, detergents, food packaging, glues, hair spray, lotions, plastic bags, perfumes, pesticides, shampoos, shower curtains and vinyl flooring, virtually anything that contains a soft plastic material.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE's)

These synthetic chemicals come in many compositions and are found primarily in flame retardants. PBDE’s are used in many building products such as carpeting, composition wood products and insulation. They regularly used on furniture, curtains, mattresses, bedding and clothing and can also be found in TV and computer casings. PBDE’s have been found in human breast milk and in dust within homes. Certain forms of PBDE’s have been banned by the states of California, Maine and Washington.

A recent study, released 9/8/08 by The Environmental Working Group, found that PBDE's, are showing up in the blood of babies at levels three times that found in their mothers blood.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Atrazine, Simazine and Heptachlor are synthetic chemicals used in many pesticides and herbicides and have been found to be very toxic to the nervous system as well as damaging to reproductive organs. They are listed as cancer causing carcinogens and as causing varied early development problems in children.

We encourage everyone to become familiar with what products in and around your home are potential hazards and what you can do to protect yourself and your family from these insidious toxins. To learn more, visit our Endocrine Disruptors Sources page.

Another excellent source of information on Endocrine Disruptors can be found on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor

Follow this link to learn more about these and many other Toxic Chemicals in products we use every day on and in our bodies as well as many common household products.


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