Summary:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are synthetic or naturally occurring compounds that can interfere with normal hormone function by altering hormone production, signalling, transport, metabolism, or receptor activity. Human exposure is widespread and occurs mainly through contaminated food and water, inhalation, and skin contact, with additional transfer during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These chemicals are of particular concern for pregnant women and children. This study is a narrative review article examining the health effects of EDC exposure and how these substances impact human endocrine and metabolic systems. The review reports that EDCs can disrupt biological systems through multiple pathways, including binding to hormone receptors, impairing hormone-metabolising enzymes, altering cellular transport processes, and inducing epigenetic changes. These disruptions were seen in reproductive dysfunction, metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, immune dysregulation, neurodevelopmental impairment, and increased cancer risk. A key focus of the review is also dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and related compounds. These chemicals are highly stable, fat-soluble, and accumulate in the food chain, resulting in human exposure through animal-derived foods including meat, dairy, fish, and eggs. Overall, the study concludes that EDC exposure is widespread, with the potential to contribute to multiple chronic health outcomes.
Abstract:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a growing public health concern worldwide. Consumption of foodstuffs is currently thought to be one of the principal exposure routes to EDCs. However, alternative ways of human exposure are through inhalation of chemicals and dermal contact. These compounds in food products such as canned food, bottled water, dairy products, fish, meat, egg, and vegetables are a ubiquitous concern to the general population. Therefore, understanding EDCs’ properties, such as origin, exposure, toxicological impact, and legal aspects are vital to control their release to the environment and food. The present paper provides an overview of the EDCs and their possible disrupting impact on the endocrine system and other organs.
Article Publication Date: 11/07/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18140
