The effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the human organism
Journal Title: Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine - Year 2017, Vol 71, Issue
Abstract
The development of civilization has not only improved the quality of life, but it is also responsible for increasing environmental pollution. Between 80000-100000 previously unknown chemicals have been estimated to circulate in the air. They include substances known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). These substances can naturally be found in the environment and food, or are classified as pollutants. EDCs are said to change the functionality of the endocrine system and, in this way, exert an influence on other body functions. Substances such as bisphenol A, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins are part of the endocrine disrupting chemicals. Some of these compounds (bisphenol A, phthalates) are used in the production of daily necessities like plastic food storage containers, bottles, perfumes, and shampoos. Endocrine disrupting chemicals accumulate in the adipose tissue and have been detected in biological fluids, namely serum, urine, breast milk and amniotic fluid. Exposure to EDC may cause many negative health effects. Bisphenol A, for example, can lead to diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, or fertility disorders. Classified as carcinogens, phthalates can cause reduced sperm count and testosterone levels, as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and the heart. Dioxins have also been found to exhibit carcinogenic properties. Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been linked to decreased IQ of offspring, among other problems. This article is a review of publications available on the medical databases such as Polish Medical Bibliography and PubMed-NCBI from the years 2005-2016, which covered endocrine disrupting chemicals and their influence on human beings.
Authors and Affiliations
Karolina Kulik-Kupka, Justyna Nowak, Ilona Korzonek-Szlacheta, Barbara Zubelewicz-Szkodzińska
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP249078
- DOI 10.5604/01.3001.0010.7748
- Views 147
- Downloads 0
Mikroangiopatia cukrzycowa w badaniu kapilaroskopowym dzieci z cukrzycą typu 1
Wstęp: Celem pracy była ocena ilościowa i jakościowa wybranej części mikrokrążenia u dzieci z rozpoznaną cukrzycą typu 1 za pomocą wideokapilaroskopii. Materiał/Metody: Przebadano grupę 145 dzieci (70 chłopców, 75 dziewc...
Role of calcium and calmodulin in reaction of gastric fundus contraction
Background: The subject of this study is determination of the influence of calmodulin and calcium on gastric fundus smooth muscle contraction. During experiments, the author tested the influence of a serotonin receptor a...
Role of endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system
Cannabinoids, the active ingredients of Cannabis sativa var. indica, have been used by humans as recreational and therapeutic agents for thousands of years. This group of substances also includes synthetic ligands and, s...
Host genetic factors associated with susceptibility to HIV infection and progression of infection
HIV infection causes progressive immune system deficiency, the development of AIDS and eventual death. Genetic factors play a very important role in the susceptibility to HIV infection and disease progression. Estimation...
Tkanka tłuszczowa – charakterystyka morfologiczna i biochemiczna różnych depozytów
Tkanka tłuszczowa to nie tylko tkanka magazynująca tłuszcz i pełniąca rolę ochronną. To ważny narząd endokrynny, będący zarówno miejscem powstawania, jak i scalania sygnałów wysyłanych z różnych tkanek. Tkanka jest zróżn...