Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

A recent report indicates that plastics are now infiltrating our bodies through microplastic particles and a “cocktail” of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Once thought to be inert, microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 mm) are now recognized as biologically active.

• Biologically active is a compound that exerts a direct physiological effect on a plant, animal or another microorganism.

Microplastic Presence in Humans:

• A 2022 study by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam detected microplastics in the blood of 80% of human participants.
• A 2024 study in Nature Scientific Reports found microplastics in nearly 89% of blood samples in India, with an average concentration of 4.2 particles per milliliter.
• These particles have also been found in various human tissues and fluids, including:
  • Lungs
  • Hearts
  • Placentas
  • Breast milk
  • Ovarian follicular fluid
  • Semen
• Alarmingly, testicular tissue in Indian men was found to contain three times more microplastics than that in dogs.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in Plastics:

• The plastics we encounter are not chemically neutral; they often contain EDCs.
• Definition of an Endocrine Disruptor: An exogenous substance or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, its progeny, or (sub)populations.
• Common EDCs found in plastics include:
  • Bisphenol A (BPA) and BPS: Used in water bottles, food containers, and thermal paper.
  • Phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DBP): Used to soften plastics and found in cosmetics, toys, and IV tubing.
  • PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): Found in food packaging and non-stick cookware.

Impact of EDCs on Human Health:

• These chemicals can mimic or block natural hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol.
• Their interference can lead to:
  • Disruption of receptor binding.
  • Interference with gene expression in reproductive organs.
  • Induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis (cell death).

(Source: TH)