Endocrine disrupters are chemicals that alter the function(s) of the endocrine system and thereby cause adverse health effects. Here we provide consumer oriented information on those endocrine disrupters we humans are most exposed to.
BPA
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the highest-volume chemicals produced worldwide. BPA is used as a monomer in the manufacture of polycarbonates and epoxy resins, as an antioxidant in PVC plastics and as an inhibitor of end polymerisation in PVC. Read more…
Dioxin
Dioxin is the general term used to denote PCDDs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins) and PCDFs (polychlorinated dibenzofurans). Trace amounts of dioxins are formed during the manufacture of compounds containing chlorine, such as chlorinated phenols, phenoxy acids and polychlorinated biphenyls. Read more…
Vinclozolin
Vinclozolin is a non-systemic fungicide used on fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals to control various blights and rots. As an active ingredient in plant protection products vinclozolin is deliberately released into the environment through application to crops and ornamental plants. Read more…
DecaBDE
The main use of decaBDE is a flame retardant additive for a range of polymer systems. The end uses for these flame retarded polymers are generally in electrical and electronic equipment. Read more…
HBCDD
The highest releases into the environment of HBCDD (Hexabromocyclododecane ) are from the textile industries and in the manufacturing of flame retardant textiles for furniture etc. The chemical characteristics in HBCDD suggest a strong potential of bioaccumulation in living organisms, this has also been confirmed in measurements. Read more...
PentaBDE
PentaBDE (Pentabromodiphenylether ) is used in the EU as a flame retardant additive for polyurethane (flexible foams for use in car seats, furniture and packaging). PentaBDE adsorb strongly onto sludge and sediments and has a high bioaccumulation potential in fish and other aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a fully fluorinated organic anion beloning to the large family of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). PFOS-related chemicals are used in a variety of products, including surface-treatments of fabrics for soil/stain resistance, coating of paper as part of a sizing agent formulation and in specialised applications such as fire fighting foams and hydraulic fluids for aeroplanes.
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is used as a reactive flame retardant in plastic materials and as an intermediate in the manufacturing of other flame retardants. It is either incorporated as covalently bound brominated flame retardant, BFR (90%) most commonly used in epoxy resins, which is used for the manufacture of laminate in printed boards or as an additive to the polymeric mixture (10%) most commonly used in Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, ABS. The latter use may lead to leakage, i.e., partial transfer to the environment, food etc. Read more....
PCBs
PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) is a group of 209 individual congeners, differing chemically through the number of chlorine atoms and their position in the molecule. PCB has been used since the 1930s in condensers and transformers, hydraulic oils, paints, glue etc. PCB continues to leak out to the environment via for instance waste disposal. Humans are exposed to PCB mainly via fatty animal foodstuffs such as fish, milk and meat, as well as breast milk. Read more...
Phthalates
Phthalates is a group of chemicals based on the chemical substancephthalic acid. They are used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics toincrease their flexibility) and are present in various types of soft plasticssuch as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Phthalates are present globally at low concentrations. Theyare not chemically bound to the plastics in which they are used and cantherefore leak from the materials into the environment. Read more...
