Chemical Gender-Benders

Endocrine-disrupting - some not good news, but let’s keep informed. This Post by Abby Mullett doing some amazing work on the topic. Thanks, Abby - read on.

Did you know there are more than 84,000 man-made chemicals in the world, yet only about 1% have been tested for safety? If we do some quick math, that means only about 840 have been tested for “safe exposure” levels. What do “safe exposure” levels even mean? Well, some really smart scientists have researched levels at which humans can be exposed to chemicals without causing damage, and traditionally chemicals have only been tested at high dose-response levels.

To make things more confusing, certain chemicals have been termed “endocrine-disrupting chemicals” (“EDCs”). These chemicals challenge traditional testing because they can cause damage to humans at very low doses; we’re talking parts per trillion/billion. Don’t worry, we’re a little (okay, maybe a lot) uneasy about this too.

And before we jump in, let’s keep in mind the time perspective of the word “endocrine disruptors” because this phrase was not coined until the 1990s.

What Are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?

To understand EDCs, let’s start with some basic knowledge. The endocrine system is essentially a network of glands and organs that is composed of natural chemicals called hormones. These hormones “talk” to each other by traveling through the bloodstream and are distributed to their appropriate tissue or organ. Once a hormone reaches its destination, it will bind to specific receptors and a corresponding response is triggered.

Now, think for a second about a time when a child began copying everything you were saying, and at first, it was funny, but then you slowly got more annoyed until you simply walked away because your other options weren’t appropriate. Well, EDCs kind of act like that, but the endocrine system can’t escape them . . . like ever.

So EDCs are what we call hormone mimics because they confuse the endocrine system. They will either “mimic or block” natural hormones which prevent their specific time release. And if a hormone fails to be released or is released too early then that is a forever missed opportunity. Moreover, the endocrine system's time management in regard to releasing hormones is particularly important–especially to the development of a healthy fetus. If a fetus fails to release a certain hormone or releases it too early then permanent damage is the result.

Still Not Convinced of EDCs Dangers?

I give you exhibit A, if you will. A chemical called diethylstilbestrol (“DES”) was prescribed to women between 1940 and 1970 with the intention of assisting in the prevention of miscarriage. However, nearly two decades later, it was discovered that a group of women now termed “DES Daughters” had developed a rare form of cancer and experienced reproductive and infertility issues due to the fact that their mothers took DES while pregnant decades earlier. Scientists have come to the understanding that DES daughters had missed crucial hormone release milestones while in utero and, unfortunately, its effects did not become apparent until the DES Daughters reached adulthood.  

But don’t be fooled, EDCs do not only affect females. EDCs actually attack androgen receptors which are the hormones responsible for defining male traits. So, society is (quite literally) becoming feminized. Which is great! But, I mean, it does take two to tango so if we don’t have sperm, what will we become?

Credit is owed to Rachel Carson and her 1962 publication of “Silent Spring.” This was one of the first studies that called attention to the increased use in chemicals and their noticeable effect on reproduction. Carson’s publication essentially ignited the chemical research movement!

That leads us to Tyrone Hayes’ discovery of the harmful effects of atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in the U.S. and a known EDC. Hayes found that male-born frogs that were exposed to atrazine during their adult life began developing female sex organs and had the ability to lay viable eggs. Male-born frogs forming female sex organs is only one story out of many where various species have become demasculinized–humans included. Let that sink in.

Where are EDCs Found?

After the end of WWII, farmers realized synthetic pesticide use allowed for inexpensive crop yields and the chemical revolution began (cue the sad violin). Many pesticides commonly contain EDCs and are continually used within agriculture–meaning many of the foods we eat are being contaminated from the moment they are planted. But EDCs don’t stop at pesticide use; they're found in flame retardants, food packaging materials, personal care products and many more everyday items. They are basically in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.

EDCs have become a critical part of our lives, but they may be the end to human-kind…striking us much sooner than global warming. “A new book called Countdown, by Shanna Swan, an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York finds that sperm counts have dropped almost 60% since 1973. Following the trajectory we are on, Swan’s research suggests sperm counts could reach zero by 2045.” That’s 24 years away.

What Are We Doing About it?

         Well, we’re not doing a whole lot about it right now or at least the government is not. The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) was required to establish an endocrine-disrupting research program in 1996 which they did. Unfortunately, the EPA has made very little progress in providing any actual research findings, pretty much stalling entirely. Nonetheless, science is well ahead of any governmental findings and many organizations like the Endocrine Society and the World Health Organization (“WHO”) have made statements acknowledging EDCs as a public health risk and announcing their commitment to further research efforts. For now, it is up to us to make sure we protect the safety of our family, friends, and neighbors.

As always, My Friend James is a friend to all and together we can fight the impact that EDCs are having on our environment and reproduction. Let’s start increasing everyone’s knowledge about EDCs so we are able to protect future generations.

To learn more about the ways you can protect yourself and your friends from EDCs, visit the Environmental Working Groups 2021 “Dirty Dozen” list as well as their list on some well-known EDCs for their advice on how to avoid them.