How to Minimize Endocrine Disruptor Exposure in Daily Life

Medical Reviewed By Lucas Rosa

PhD in Molecular Biology

We can reduce our exposure to endocrine disruptors (chemicals that disrupt our hormones) by making hormone-friendly lifestyle choices.

Endocrine Disruptors

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with our hormones and exposure to them can lead to various health issues. These chemicals are commonly found in numerous products that we use daily. Many people are exposed to these chemicals without knowing it.

Common sources of endocrine disruption in our homes may include plastic containers, synthetic clothing, non-stick cookware, furniture, body care products, cosmetics, air fresheners, and cleaning products. These chemicals can enter our body through inhalation, digestion, and skin contact.

To identify endocrine-disrupting chemicals, check the labels on products and look for chemicals like BPA, phthalates, PFAS, triclosan, flame retardants, synthetic fabrics, and parabens. Choosing products that are free of these chemicals will significantly minimize your exposure.

Endocrine disruptors can have slow and long-lasting effects on our bodies. These chemicals can lead to many health issues like infertility, diabetes, learning disabilities, and disorders. It can be very dangerous to be exposed to these chemicals for long periods of time.

To learn more about the health effects that endocrine disruptors can cause, visit our blog post: An Overview of Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs).

Safer Personal Care Products

Personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, and makeup can be significant sources of endocrine disruption. Ingredients like parabens, phthalates, PFAS, and triclosan are commonly found in these items and can greatly affect our hormone levels.

Choose products that are 'paraben-free', 'phthalate-free', 'PFAS-free', and 'triclosan-free'. Consider switching to organic and natural brands that use fewer synthetic chemicals. Read the ingredient lists and choose products with more recognizable ingredients to help reduce exposure.

Also, choosing unscented or organic fragrances can reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Fragrances can be made up of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and manufacturers are not required to list the chemicals that were used in making fragrances. Avoid synthetic fragrances and choose unscented or organic fragrances.

Limiting your use of personal care products like cosmetics and cologne can also reduce your exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Safer Dietary Choices

What you eat can also expose you to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Pesticides and herbicides in non-organic produce, and contaminants in processed foods are common sources of endocrine disruption.

To minimize your exposure to endocrine disruptors in food, choose whole organic foods whenever possible and limit the consumption of processed foods.

Additionally, minimize the amount of fast food that you consume. It has been found that fast foods contain higher amounts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The packaging and processing equipment of the food seeps endocrine disruptors into the food.

When cooking at home, be conscious of the packaging your food is in, and the utensils used to cook your food. Use stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, or carbon steel pots and pans to cook food in, and use BPA-free and PFAS-free utensils. Additionally, buy food that is fresh and loose, and store food and drinks in glass or stainless steel containers. 

Safer Clothing Choices

The clothing we wear is another way that we can be exposed to endocrine disruptors. Synthetic fabrics, stain-repellent, and waterproof clothing can all contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The chemicals used to create these products can seep into our skin and cause disruption.

Read the labels of clothing products and avoid products that have PFAS, PFC, polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, or spandex (elastane).

Also, be careful of items that are labeled as 'moisture-wicking', 'anti-static', 'stain resistant', 'water repellent', and 'wrinkle-resistant' because these labels indicate that the product might have endocrine-disrupting chemicals that enable it to have these properties.

Jewelry with toxic metals can be another source of endocrine disruption. Choose more natural jewelry, and avoid jewelry that contains plastics, lead, and cadmium.

Choosing products that use organic materials, plant-based dyes, and have certifications (Examples: GOTS, OKEO-TEX, MADE SAFE, or bluesign) can greatly help reduce endocrine disruption in clothing.

Safer Home

Minimizing your exposure to endocrine disruptors in your home can be done through being informed about endocrine disruptors and taking actionable steps to remove their sources.

Be aware of the products that you buy and choose organic and natural products, and create a clean and filtered home environment.

Water filters reduce the amount of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are found in our water sources. You can put filters on any water dispenser in your home like fridges, sinks, and showers.

Air filters improve your indoor air quality. You can also use air purifiers, and avoid synthetic air fresheners, to ensure proper ventilation throughout your home.

Additionally, keep your air quality clean by dusting and vacuuming regularly. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can accumulate as dust particles, and we can unconsciously breathe them in.

Conclusion

Minimizing endocrine disruptor exposure starts by making hormone-friendly choices about the products you use and the home you create. Minimizing your exposure leads to improved hormonal health and better overall health for you and your family.

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