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Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals costs EU billions annually

Date:
February 26, 2015
Source:
Endocrine Society
Summary:
Human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) likely contributes to a number of diseases and health conditions in the EU, with costs estimated between €150-260 billion per year (1.2-2.0% of Gross Domestic Product), according to a new series of studies.
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Human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) likely contributes to a number of diseases and health conditions in the EU, with costs estimated between €150-260 billion per year (1.2-2.0% of Gross Domestic Product), according to a new series of studies to be published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

EDCs are chemicals that interfere with hormone action and are commonly found in food and food containers, plastic products, furniture, toys, carpeting, building materials and cosmetics. EDCs include chemicals such as bisphenol A (water bottles, can linings), certain phthalates (various plastic products and cosmetics), and pesticides such as chlorpyrifos (used on a wide variety of food crops). They are often released from the products that contain them and enter the bodies of humans and wildlife through dust or through the food chain.

In these studies, researchers used available epidemiologic and toxicologic evidence to assess the economic burden of potential outcomes to EDC exposure, including: infertility and male reproductive dysfunctions, birth defects, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurobehavioral and learning disorders.


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Materials provided by Endocrine Society. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Endocrine Society. "Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals costs EU billions annually." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 February 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150226084425.htm>.
Endocrine Society. (2015, February 26). Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals costs EU billions annually. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 7, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150226084425.htm
Endocrine Society. "Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals costs EU billions annually." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150226084425.htm (accessed October 7, 2024).

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