Plastics, EDCs & health

An important link between plastic use and human health was made in Dec. 2020 by a global group of Endocrinologists. In case you missed it, the report contains information critical for everyone from policy makers to every person making daily decisions about their health vs. the convenience of plastic. 

In short, plastics contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that threaten human health. The report is called: Plastics, EDCs, & Health, and was written by the Endocrine Society and the IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network).  It presents a summary of international research on the health impacts of EDCs and describes the alarming health effects of widespread contamination from EDCs in plastics.

In a press release, the Endocrine Society wrote; 

“Conservative estimates point to more than a thousand manufactured chemicals in use today that are EDCs. Known EDCs that leach from plastics and threaten health include bisphenol A and related chemicals, flame retardants, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dioxins, UV-stabilizers, and toxic metals such as lead and cadmium. Plastic containing EDCs is used extensively in packaging, construction, flooring, food production and packaging, cookware, health care, children’s toys, leisure goods, furniture, home electronics, textiles, automobiles and cosmetics.”

Exposure puts children and grandchildren at risk for multiple reproductive and health problems. “Endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure is not only a global problem today, but it poses a serious threat to future generations,” said co-author Pauliina Damdimopoulou, Ph.D., of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. “When a pregnant woman is exposed, EDCs can affect the health of her child and eventual grandchildren. Animal studies show EDCs can cause DNA modifications that have repercussions across multiple generations.”

Read full report: https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/plastics-edcs-and-health