BPA, Phthalates, and Other Endocrine Disruptors: What They Are, and What You Can Do About Them

The modern environment is filled with chemicals that disrupt the human endocrine system. These chemicals increase the production of some hormones and decrease the production of others. They can turn one hormone into another and interfere with the signals that hormones send to healthy tissues. They can tell healthy cells to die prematurely, bind to and deactivate the hormones that are supposed to be in the body, and make it impossible for the body to use certain nutrients.

Environmental endocrine-disruptors are involved  in an ever-lengthening list of diseases. They are impossible to avoid altogether. However, you can reduce your exposure to these health-robbing chemicals by taking simple measures. Here is a list of the eight worst endocrine-disruptors and what to do about them. 

Arsenic 

Arsenic occurs naturally in spring waters in certain parts of the world, such as Arizona and Bangladesh. It was used as a defoliant in the Cotton Belt of the United States until about 1990, and arsenic contaminates drinking water in many locations around the world, even in advanced countries.

How can you avoid arsenic contamination? First of all, find out if your water is contaminated. There are simple testing kits for arsenic, but they aren't used the way you might expect. The test strip is held above your water sample rather than in it. Just be sure to follow instructions. Then, if your tap water tests positive for arsenic, you really need to drink bottled water and to minimize your daily exposure to contaminated water in your bath or swimming pool.

Atrazine

Atrazine is an herbicide used to control weeds in corn (maize) fields and sugar cane fields and also on golf courses. If you live in the corn-producing parts of the United States it's impossible to avoid it in drinking water. Atrazine famously is responsible for transforming male frogs into female frogs, and there is evidence linking it to prostate cancer in men.

How do you avoid atrazine? Get a water filter that is certified to remove atrazine from tap water, and avoid corn products that are not labeled as organic.

READ FDA Urged to Ban BPA Found In Plastics Due to Its Links To Heart, Diabetes and Liver Problems

BPA (Bisphenol A)

BPA is a nearly universal environmental contaminant that is used in industry to harden plastics. Inside the human bloodstream, it mimics estrogen. Its effects may account for the increasing rates of early puberty in girls and infertility in men. 

How can you avoid BPA? One of the major uses of this chemical is for making the "glue" that holds cans together. You can avoid BPA by eating fresh food rather than canned. It also helps to avoid plastic containers marked "polycarbonate" or "recycling #7." If you can't avoid these kinds of containers entirely, at least do not use them to store acidic liquids or keep them in a hot place.

More Endocrine Disruptors and How to Avoid Them

Here are some more common endocrine disruptors and what you can do to minimize their effects on your health.

Dioxins

Dioxins form when bromine or chlorine are burned in the presence of carbon. The resulting compounds interfere with the signals hormones transmit to cells, especially signals from testosterone. Studies have found that exposure to dioxin in the womb causes males to have issues with erectile function and fertility in their adult lives. Women exposed to dioxins are at greater risk for breast cancer.

Fire Retardants

Most fire and flame retardants contain chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs. These chemicals are remarkably persistent in the environment. Levels of PBDEs in environmental testing have doubled every five years since 1971. They have been found in substances as different as polar bear blood and human breast milk, and they are linked to hypothyroidism.

How can you avoid PDBEs? Clean your house carefully when you replace the carpet. Carpet pads usually contain high concentrations of PBDE. If you have furniture with flame-retardant upholstery, vacuum regularly to gather the particles that could carry the chemical into your lungs.

Perfluorinated Carbon Compounds

Perfluorinated carbon compounds, also known as PFCs, are used to make coatings that keep food from sticking to pans. Unfortunately, these compounds can stick to you. They linger in the environment. The most common chemical in this class, perfluorooctanoic acid, or PCFO, doesn't break down. Ever. PFOA exposure has been linked to low sperm counts in men, premature birth, low birth weight, high cholesterol, and kidney disease.

The easiest way to avoid PFOAs is just to avoid Teflon and similar non-stick coatings on kitchenware and clothing. Cleaning may take longer, but traditional "sticky" materials are safer for your good health.

READ The Best Ways To Detoxify Your Body Naturally

Organophosphate Pesticides

The Nazis developed organophosphate neurotoxins as a weapon in World War II. After the war, scientists in countries all around the world adapted these poisons for use as pesticides. Even though there have been a number of studies linking exposure to these chemicals with delayed development in children, they are still in common use.

How do you avoid organophosphates? Buy organic, or visit the link posted below for more information about the most problematic fruits and vegetables that retain the greatest amounts of organophosphate residue.

Lead

There was a time when most water pipes were made with lead. All over the world, including thousands of communities in the US, old pipes made with lead are still in service. There also was a time when every brand of white paint contained lead. As a result, crumbling paint flaking off into chips that may be eaten by small children is still a major cause of developmental delay. Adults exposed to lead often develop kidney disease.

READ Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease

Lead poisoning is treatable with a method called chelation therapy. The chelating drug EDTA is even insurance-approved for this purpose. However, it's best to avoid lead by removing and replacing old paint, and avoiding the use of pottery decorated with lead glazes. You can buy inexpensive test kits to make sure household items don't contain dangerous levels of lead.