Introduction
Faced with the resurgence of health problems, particularly infertility, cancers, and malformations, we are led to ask ourselves many questions. This is how many scientific studies will reveal the presence of endocrine disruptors. Substances that we come into contact with every day without having the slightest idea of what they are; natural or synthetic substances likely to interfere with the functions of the endocrine system. Suspected of being responsible for reproductive alterations and contributing to the increase in emerging diseases, they constitute one of the challenges of our era. What about these substances and their impact on human and environmental health?
What is an endocrine disruptor?
Substances capable of interfering with and altering the endocrine system, acts discreetly in the body by concentrating their action on the cells and organs involved in the production of hormones on the one hand and the other hand on the action of these hormones on their target cells thus affecting the reproductive functions of living beings. Widely distributed in our environment due to its omnipresence in everyday life, it has three means of action in the body:
- Mimetic effect, imitates the action of hormones
- Blocking effect, prevents the binding of a hormone to its receptor
- Disruptive effect, hinders the production or regulation of hormones
Given the importance of these hormones, endocrine disruptors induce growth delays, and disrupt metabolism and reproductive functions.
Source of endocrine disruptors
Present in water, and air, omnipresent in household products, cosmetics, food, pesticide packaging and medicines, we distinguish:
- phthalates, bisphenol A used as plasticizing agents during the manufacture of plastic objects
- organochlorine substances present in pesticides
- alkylphenols (detergents, solvents, paint)
- Paraben (medications, cosmetic products)
- Phytoestrogens and isoflavonoids present in certain plant species (case of soya)
Without forgetting perfluorinated and polybrominated compounds, to name just a few examples.
Impacts of endocrine disruptors on health
They cause enormous repercussions on human health, the environment and biodiversity. They are responsible, among other things, for drops in ovarian and testicular hormones, sperm quality, and urogenital malformations. They also contribute to the increase in emerging diseases such as infertility, breast and prostate cancers, diabetes and obesity. Developmental anomalies are also part of it. In addition to the repercussions on human health, let us highlight the deleterious effects of these disruptors within animal populations. This is the example of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane DDT, an organochlorine insecticide used against mosquitoes which has proven harmful to fish and birds.
Conclusion
Endocrine disruptors pose a growing threat to human health. Indeed, the alteration of endocrine functions has serious consequences on the entire organism. In the context of permanent exposure, it is essential to be aware of the presence of these disruptive agents and to implement mitigation measures.
