How Much Do You Know About Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals?

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There’s a lot more to know about endocrine-disrupting chemicals! Learn more about where these harmful chemicals may be found and how they could impact your health. 10| You know a lot about endocrine-disrupting chemicals! Learn more about where these harmful chemicals may be found and how they could impact your health.

? Of the tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals that exist, how many does the Endocrine Society, a global community of physicians and scientists, estimate are endocrine disruptors? - 100 or fewer - 101-500 - 501-999 + 1,000 or more ! People are regularly exposed to thousands of synthetic chemicals, many of which can be hazardous to their health. Only a small percentage of chemicals have been scientifically studied, but of those, the Endocrine Society estimates that 1,000 or more may be EDCs. More research is needed to better understand the scale of the EDC challenge. ? True or false: EDCs directly interfere with the human nervous system by mimicking neurotransmitters. - True + False ! Sometimes referred to as hormone-disrupting chemicals, EDCs are compounds that directly interfere with the human endocrine system, a complex network of glands and organs that make hormones. Those hormones, in turn, control many bodily functions, such as pregnancy, prenatal and early childhood development, puberty, metabolism, immune response, and aging. EDCs often mimic hormones and have been linked to health effects such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

People can also experience cumulative effects from exposures to multiple EDCs, which can interact with each other in the human body and exacerbate or alter their effect on human health. ? How do humans become exposed to EDCs? - Ingestion - Inhalation - Through the skin + All of the above ! Humans and animals can be exposed to EDCs through inhalation or ingestion or through the skin. Common sources of contact include carpeting, cookware, and even drinking water. Many EDCs can also be transferred from mother to baby during pregnancy, through the placenta, or via breastfeeding. ? True or false: EDCs have been associated with serious health conditions, including infertility, certain cancers, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular disease. + True - False ! Exposure to EDCs can affect human health in various ways. Some EDCs can act like hormones and alter normal hormonal actions, such as turning biological processes on or off at the wrong time, making people more susceptible to a variety of serious health conditions. And because the endocrine system is so sensitive, even an extremely small amount of an EDC can be harmful. ? Which of the following classes of synthetic chemicals are known EDCs? - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Often called “forever chemicals,” these compounds have a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications, serving as refrigerants, water repellent coatings on rain gear, and more - Bisphenols: Chemicals used in the production of certain plastics and epoxy resins, among other uses - Phthalates: Chemicals often used to make plastic more flexible, as well as other applications + All of the above ! Bisphenols, PFAS, and phthalates are well-known classes of EDCs—used in an array of consumer, commercial, and industrial applications—that are harmful to human health. ? What percentage of Americans have at least one type of EDC in their blood? - 45% + 97% - 78% - 90% ! Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that virtually all Americans have more than one type of EDC in their bodies. For example, 97% of people have PFAS and 98% have phthalates in their systems. ? True or false: The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 45% of U.S. drinking water could be contaminated by one or more PFAS chemicals. + True - False ! A study of more than 700 samples taken from residences, businesses, and drinking-water treatment plants across the country from 2016 to 2021 suggests that as much as 45% of U.S. drinking water could have PFAS contamination. ? True or false: Some people are at greater risk from EDC exposure than others. + True - False ! EDCs are particularly concerning for certain stages of human development. For example, pregnancy, fetus development, infancy, and adolescence all involve critical hormone-driven biological processes that make people in these phases especially susceptible to harm from EDCs.

And some people are at heightened risk from exposures associated with their professions or where they live. Firefighters are exposed to PFAS in firefighting foam and gear. Farmers often unknowingly use PFAS-laden waste as fertilizer, inadvertently contaminating the soil and water as well as food eaten by the farmers; their families, neighbors, livestock; and consumers worldwide. People who live near certain facilities, such as military bases, airports, and industrial manufacturing sites, are also at elevated risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals, including EDCs. ? EDCs can be found in which common household items? - Nonstick pots and pans - Plastic children’s toys - Stain-resistant carpets and rugs + All of the above ! EDCs are used in many everyday items. In addition to consumer and industrial applications, they have been found in drinking water and farmland. ? According to a 2025 report from the Environmental Council of the States, how many states have passed or proposed legislation to regulate PFAS? - Zero - 50 - Almost two-thirds + Nearly three-quarters ! Nearly three-quarters of states have passed or proposed legislation related to PFAS. These policies range from calling for further research to banning the use of PFAS in various products, including textiles, building materials, and cookware. Despite these efforts, more remains to be done to reduce Americans’ exposure to harmful PFAS and other EDCs.