Tea Time: Endocrine Disruptors

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• What are they
  • chemicals that disrupt hormones like estrogens, androgens, or thyroid
  • natural or man-made (mostly)
  • some phthalates (plasticizers)
  • DES, PCB's, other pesticides, dioxin, DDT, BPA, DEHP, phytoestrogens
• Where do we find them
  • pesticides
  • contaminants
  • additives in food and personal care products
• What do they do
  • Interfere with hormone metabolism in the liver or function in body cells
  • anti-androgens (like phthalates)
  • estrogen-like chemicals (like BPA)
  • Potentially causing decreased fertility, many chronic diseases, cancer
• What can we do
  • Don't panic!
  • these chemicals are ubiquitous
  • demand more regulation on the industries that use these chemicals
  • avoid/limit single-use plastic
  • don't microwave food in plastic
  • don't store hot food in plastic (try glass or cool it down first)
  • wash plastic by hand vs in the dishwasher
  • wash all your produce
  • avoid artificial fragrance
  • use natural/homemade cleaning products
  • use EWG's cosmetics database to check for products