A group of chemicals that may be present in numerous household products across the United States could potentially affect your hormonal health. The question arises: how concerned should individuals be about these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as phthalates, BPA (bisphenol A), and brominated flame retardants?

While the scientific literature on EDCs continues to expand, there is growing evidence suggesting a link between exposure to these chemicals and various health issues, including impacts on brain development, fertility, and the onset of puberty, according to Dr. Michael Bloom, a professor of global and community health at George Mason University College of Public Health in Fairfax, Virginia.

As researchers continue to investigate the effects of EDCs, organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit dedicated to researching and advocating for safer products, are urging people to take preventative measures to minimize exposure. EDCs, which do not occur naturally in the human body, can influence the function of hormones, which are crucial chemicals that transmit signals throughout the body to regulate various functions in organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic. Here is what experts have to say about EDCs and the essential information you should be aware of regarding them.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are exogenous substances that can alter the way your body's hormones operate, according to Bloom. Hormones are vital for numerous biological processes, including the onset of puberty, reproduction, and brain development. Some EDCs can imitate the hormones your body naturally produces, such as estrogen or testosterone. Other EDCs can affect the synthesis of hormones, leading to an overproduction or underproduction of a hormone, or altering how it is metabolized.

For instance, phthalates are synthetic chemicals commonly used in a wide range of products, including food and beverage containers and plastic wrap, and they have been shown to interfere with testosterone production, as reported by the Endocrine Society. Brominated flame retardants, used in electronics, clothing, and furniture, have been linked to the disruption of thyroid function, which is critical for childhood development.

"Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with hormonal communication," Bloom stated. "Hormonal communication is an essential pathway for our brain to communicate with tissues, and for tissues to communicate with each other, ensuring the efficient daily functioning that keeps us operational." Chronic exposure to substances that block or alter hormone activity can lead to severe health consequences, added Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist on the healthy living team at the EWG. "Anything that affects your hormones is likely to impact other health outcomes," she noted.

The expanding scientific literature indicates that endocrine disruptors might contribute to conditions such as attention deficit disorder and impulse control disorders, Bloom added. "Hormones play a significant role in brain development and normal brain function, so exposure to these EDCs early in life could alter development," Friedman explained.

These chemicals may also be associated with the trend of early puberty in girls, which "is linked to an increased risk of psychosocial issues, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer," said Dr. Natalie Shaw, head of the Pediatric Neuroendocrinology Group at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Studies have also raised concerns about insulin sensitivity and diabetes, obesity, and fertility, according to Bloom.

The challenge in conducting more in-depth investigative research on EDCs and their detrimental effects on the human body lies in the difficulty of studying them, Bloom added. Most evidence is derived from cell models, where tissues or cells in a dish are exposed to high concentrations of chemicals—concentrations higher than what most people would naturally encounter, he explained. To understand the effects of a more "biologically realistic" level of exposure, researchers may examine urine samples for the presence of EDCs and compare the levels against various health markers, he continued. However, the current scientific literature on the subject is controversial, Bloom noted.

Some studies assert that EDC exposure is a significant risk factor for poorer health outcomes, while others contradict this claim. "We're in a position where it's like, 'is it better to be safe than sorry?'" he added. Researchers, regulatory bodies, and individuals are grappling with whether it's worth making changes now in case future research necessitates the elimination of EDCs or waiting to avoid the costs and efforts associated with replacing products for those at lower risk of exposure to these chemicals, Bloom stated.

It may be challenging to completely eliminate exposure to endocrine disruptors, Friedman noted. "The biggest issue with EDCs is their pervasive presence in the environment and in everything we use," she added. Skin care and personal care products are sources of exposure for both children and adults, not only in the chemical composition of the products themselves but also in the plastic packaging they come in, Bloom explained. Pesticides used in agriculture and present on produce may contain endocrine disruptors, and groundwater may also be contaminated, Friedman added. "Surprisingly, significant concentrations are found in home dust," Bloom added.

The presence of EDCs in dust is particularly concerning for toddlers and infants who spend a lot of time close to the ground, he noted. Many people of color are exposed to higher levels of endocrine disruptors, Bloom said. Some researchers have speculated that this is because products marketed towards them, including hair care products, contain higher concentrations, he added. "An individual going through their daily routine, using their preferred personal care products, drinking water from their tap, eating produce—they may be exposed to really small levels of EDCs in many different ways that accumulate over a lifetime," Friedman stated.

It can be difficult to determine which products may expose you to more endocrine disruptors just by looking at the label, Bloom noted. The components of many products are proprietary, meaning they are protected by the company's ownership and not always clearly labeled, he added. "There are no clear labeling requirements, and the industry may change what they use over time," Bloom said. This means a product tested two years ago may be manufactured differently now, leading to different exposure levels, he added. "Scientific investigators and environmental health scientists are constantly trying to keep up with the products being used by industry," Bloom stated.

While there are steps being taken by government agencies to protect consumers and ongoing research, according to an emailed statement from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "EPA has taken action to regulate these chemicals in the environment and provides additional scrutiny for chemicals, including pesticides, through the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program." The prevalence of EDCs and the lack of clear labeling do not mean that individuals are powerless, however.

Friedman recommends finding manageable changes that fit within your budget, priorities, and lifestyle. Gradually replacing personal care products one at a time as you use them up is a great place to start, she said. Filtering EDCs out of the water supply is also a manageable way to begin, she added. There are numerous reputable online databases available to the public for searching for safer personal care products, such as SkinSafeProducts.com, developed by allergists and dermatologists with the Mayo Clinic, and Skin Deep from the EWG, Bloom noted. It's not about overhauling everything—Friedman has curly hair, so she sticks with her same shampoo and conditioner but finds products she wouldn't mind switching and makes changes there, she said.

The EWG also has a tap water database so that people can search their drinking water quality by zip code and use a water filtration guide to select a system that is appropriate for them. "It might not be easy for people to change where they live, maybe even their water—those sorts of environmental sources that are just part of your life: the air you breathe, the things you're exposed to at work, etc.," she said. "But personal care products are one area where I think people have a lot of control over what they purchase within reason."