Stop Messing With My Hormones: Why & How to Reduce Endocrine Disruptors, and Why Not Even "BPA Free" is a Safe Alternative
A new study by the University of Washington in St Louis found that women with high levels of endocrine disruptors - experience menopause 2-4 years earlier
You might be years away from worrying about menopause - so why should this worry you?
Well, the problem is that the list of endocrine disrupting chemicals is long and their effects are not just limited to early menopause. In fact, because of there prevelance, these might be the worse kind of chemicals especially for babies and developing fetuses. You cannot just eliminate one endocrine disruptor from your daily routine and call it a day - because chances are you are still exposing yourself and your family to a list of other endocrine disruptors, sometimes unknowingly.
Even worse news? This ‘gang’ of toxic chemicals have been linked to various types of cancers, hyperactivity, fertility problems, obesity, and the list goes on.
WHAT ARE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS AND WHY ARE THEY BAD FOR US
Endocrine disrupting chemicals are chemicals that mimic naturally occurring hormones in the body. Examples? estrogens (the female sex hormone), androgens (the male sex hormone), and thyroid hormones. Basically, they trick the body into believing and acting as if it has an over (or under) production of these hormones.
The thing with hormones is that they need to be balanced. When you have too many (or too little) of an important hormone, like estrogen, it can create havoc inside your body and the repercussions can be quite severe but might not show up until years later.
The researchers in this particular study identified 15 chemicals — nine PCBs, three pesticides, two phthalates and a furan (a toxic chemical) — that the author’s found warrant closer evaluation because they were “significantly associated with earlier ages of menopause.” The danger of an earlier menopause? It can affect fertility and lead to earlier development of heart disease, osteoporosis and other health problems.
For younger women and babies, the effects that endocrine disruptors may pose when exposure occurs during pregnant and in the first year of infancy, when organ and neural systems are forming, can be even worse.
So, what chemicals are part of this ‘gang’? Here are a couple
BPA
Bisphenol A imitates estrogen
BPA has been linked to everything from breast and others cancers to reproductive problems, obesity, early puberty and heart disease. According to government tests, 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their bodies.
The National Toxicology Program has stated they have “concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A."
BPS
The main alternative to BPA in “BPA-free products”, bisphenol S is just as bad as BPA as it causes the same ill effects by also mimicking estrogen.
Specifically, it has been linked to altering brain development and causing hyperactive behavior.
BPS is so prevalent today that it has been found in 81% of Americans - no doubt people thinking they were purchasing less toxic products by choosing BPA free.
DIOXINS
Unwanted by-products of a wide range of manufacturing processes including smelting, chlorine bleaching of paper pulp and the manufacturing of some herbicides and pesticides
Affect both estrogens and androgens (male sex hormone).
Recent research has shown that exposure to low levels of dioxin in the womb and early in life can both permanently affect sperm quality and lower the sperm count in men.
Dioxins live long lives and build up in your body and are considered carcinogens.
ATRAZINE
A herbicide
It has been found, even at low levels, to turn male frogs into females that produce completely viable eggs.
Atrazine is widely used on the majority of corn crops in the United States, and consequently it’s quite commonly found in drinking water.
Atrazine has been linked to breast tumors, delayed puberty and prostate inflammation in animals, and some research has linked it to prostate cancer in people.
PHTHALATES
Chemicals that make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They are used as lubricants in cosmetics and to bind synthetic fragrance to products
Studies have linked phthalates to hormone changes, lower sperm count, less mobile sperm, birth defects in the male reproductive system, obesity, diabetes and thyroid irregularities
FIRE RETARDANTS
Another thyroid mimicking chemical.
Chemicals found in fire retardant (PBDEs), are incredibly persistent. They have been found in humans and animals (including polar bears) around the globe.
These chemicals have been associated with thyroid hormone disruption, permanent learning and memory impairment, behavioral changes, hearing deficits, delayed puberty onset, decreased sperm count, fetal malformations and, possibly, cancer.
Some PBDEs research has shown that exposure to brominated fire retardants in-utero or during infancy leads to more significant harm than exposure during adulthood, and at much lower levels
WHERE ARE THESE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS FOUND AND HOW CAN I AVOID/REDUCE MY EXPOSURE TO THEM?
Bisphenol A (BPA):
WHERE
Found in harder plastics. Toys, plastic plates and cups, water bottles, toys, canned food, store receipts all can contain BPA
HOW TO AVOID
Avoid pastics - switch to glass or stainless steel
Go fresh instead of canned – many food cans are lined with BPA
Never microwave plastics
Never place plastic dishes/cups in hot dishwasher (it would be wise, as mentioned earlier to stop using plastic cups and plates entirely)
Decrease plastic use in house and especially in toy room and kitchen
Avoid recycling label #7
Avoid touching store receipts (saves paper and doesn't expose you to BPA) opt for the store to email you instead.
Bisphenol B (BPS):
WHERE
Think you are making a safe choice by buying “BPA-free” products? Think again. BPS is themain substitute for BPA in most plastic items that claim to be BPA free
It can be found in most plastic products that claim to be "BPA free"
HOW TO AVOID
Do not purchase BPA free items thinking it is a safer alternative
Switch to glass or stainless steel
ATRAZINE:
WHERE
Found in herbicides used in the majority of corn crops in the US.
Atrazine is one of the most common contaminants of drinking water; an estimated thirty million Americans are exposed to trace amounts of the chemical.
HOW TO AVOID
Buy organic
Purchase a water filter that is certified to filter out atrazine
PHTHALATES
WHERE
Commonly found in plastic food containers, children’s toys (although some phthalates are already
banned in kid’s products), and plastics with the recycling label #3. All products (beauty , cleaning etc) that list added “fragrance” contain phthalates. Basically, anything that smells artificial has phthalates
HOW TO AVOID
Avoid air fresheners
"Fragrance" or "parfum" on a label almost always means phthalates. Instead, choose "no synthetic fragrance" or "scented with only essential oils" or "phthalate-free."
Avoid recycling codes 3 and 7
Avoid hand me down (soft) plastic toys. Most phthalates have been banned from children’s toys today, however these laws are new and old soft toys probably still have phthalates
As usual, avoid plastic when possible: obt for wood, glass or stainless steel
PBDEs/ FIRE RETARDANTS
WHERE
Used to prevent the spread of fire and are likely to be found in dozens of products in your home.
They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products and electronics.
Because fire retardant chemicals tend to migrate out of the products they accumulate in the dust we breathe and touch in our house,
HOW TO AVOID
New laws in California have made purchasing upholstered furniture without fire retardants easier. Many large companies are already selling or have promised to sell fire retardant free furniture: if you are purchasing new furniture ask the company if they offer items without fire retardants.
Older furniture is likely to contain PBDEs. Show caution if reupholstering and never leave ripped foam out in the open
It is important to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and mop frequently to clean the dust that contains PCBEs
Choose organic/ nontoxic baby products (car seats, playmats, strollers, bedding, and pijamas etc)
Remove your shoes upon entering your home
Wash your hands several times a day, which has been shown to reduce PBDE levels in your blood significantly.
Purchase PBDE free electornics (Certain PBDE-free products are now available from Canon, Dell, HP, Intel, Erickson, Apple, Acer, Nokia, Motorola, LG Electronics, and Sony)
DIOXINS
WHERE
More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish.
Dioxins tend to accumulate in the fatty issue of these animals
HOW TO AVOID
Trimming fat from meat and consuming low fat dairy products
FINAL NOTE ON "BPA FREE"
I wanted to stress how important it is to try to switch out plastic all together- even when it states the plastic is "BPA or Phthalate free". So many parents (including me for my first child) purchase items labeled "BPA free" for their children thinking they are making a healthier choice, but unfortunately recent studies are shwing that this might not be the case. A study last year found that many of these products are still leaching estrogen mimicking chemicals... among products tested? Baby bottles from: born free, Avent, Green to Grow, Evenflo and Weill Baby, and Sippy Cups from : CamelBak and Weil Baby.
At the end of the day, your safest option will always be opting for glass or stainless steel when you
can. The good news is that most of these brands also sell glass baby bottles. Born Free and Evenflo sells glass baby bottles protected with colorful silicon, as does LifeFactory. Pura and Kid Kanteen are 2 of many options that sell stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups.
Avoid pastics - switch to glass or stainless steel
Go fresh instead of canned – many food cans are lined with BPA
Never microwave plastics
Never place plastic dishes/cups in hot dishwasher (it would be wise, as mentioned earlier to stop using plastic cups and plates entirely)
Decrease plastic use in house and especially in toy room and kitchen
Avoid recycling label #7
Avoid touching store receipts (saves paper and doesn't expose you to BPA) opt for the store to email you instead.
Bisphenol B (BPS):
WHERE
Think you are making a safe choice by buying “BPA-free” products? Think again. BPS is themain substitute for BPA in most plastic items that claim to be BPA free
It can be found in most plastic products that claim to be "BPA free"
HOW TO AVOID
Do not purchase BPA free items thinking it is a safer alternative
Switch to glass or stainless steel
ATRAZINE:
WHERE
Found in herbicides used in the majority of corn crops in the US.
Atrazine is one of the most common contaminants of drinking water; an estimated thirty million Americans are exposed to trace amounts of the chemical.
HOW TO AVOID
Buy organic
Purchase a water filter that is certified to filter out atrazine
PHTHALATES
WHERE
Commonly found in plastic food containers, children’s toys (although some phthalates are already
banned in kid’s products), and plastics with the recycling label #3. All products (beauty , cleaning etc) that list added “fragrance” contain phthalates. Basically, anything that smells artificial has phthalates
HOW TO AVOID
Avoid air fresheners
"Fragrance" or "parfum" on a label almost always means phthalates. Instead, choose "no synthetic fragrance" or "scented with only essential oils" or "phthalate-free."
Avoid recycling codes 3 and 7
Avoid hand me down (soft) plastic toys. Most phthalates have been banned from children’s toys today, however these laws are new and old soft toys probably still have phthalates
As usual, avoid plastic when possible: obt for wood, glass or stainless steel
PBDEs/ FIRE RETARDANTS
WHERE
Used to prevent the spread of fire and are likely to be found in dozens of products in your home.
They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products and electronics.
Because fire retardant chemicals tend to migrate out of the products they accumulate in the dust we breathe and touch in our house,
HOW TO AVOID
New laws in California have made purchasing upholstered furniture without fire retardants easier. Many large companies are already selling or have promised to sell fire retardant free furniture: if you are purchasing new furniture ask the company if they offer items without fire retardants.
Older furniture is likely to contain PBDEs. Show caution if reupholstering and never leave ripped foam out in the open
It is important to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and mop frequently to clean the dust that contains PCBEs
Choose organic/ nontoxic baby products (car seats, playmats, strollers, bedding, and pijamas etc)
Remove your shoes upon entering your home
Wash your hands several times a day, which has been shown to reduce PBDE levels in your blood significantly.
Purchase PBDE free electornics (Certain PBDE-free products are now available from Canon, Dell, HP, Intel, Erickson, Apple, Acer, Nokia, Motorola, LG Electronics, and Sony)
DIOXINS
WHERE
More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish.
Dioxins tend to accumulate in the fatty issue of these animals
HOW TO AVOID
Trimming fat from meat and consuming low fat dairy products
FINAL NOTE ON "BPA FREE"
I wanted to stress how important it is to try to switch out plastic all together- even when it states the plastic is "BPA or Phthalate free". So many parents (including me for my first child) purchase items labeled "BPA free" for their children thinking they are making a healthier choice, but unfortunately recent studies are shwing that this might not be the case. A study last year found that many of these products are still leaching estrogen mimicking chemicals... among products tested? Baby bottles from: born free, Avent, Green to Grow, Evenflo and Weill Baby, and Sippy Cups from : CamelBak and Weil Baby.
At the end of the day, your safest option will always be opting for glass or stainless steel when you
can. The good news is that most of these brands also sell glass baby bottles. Born Free and Evenflo sells glass baby bottles protected with colorful silicon, as does LifeFactory. Pura and Kid Kanteen are 2 of many options that sell stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups.
Avoid pastics - switch to glass or stainless steel
Go fresh instead of canned – many food cans are lined with BPA
Never microwave plastics
Never place plastic dishes/cups in hot dishwasher (it would be wise, as mentioned earlier to stop using plastic cups and plates entirely)
Decrease plastic use in house and especially in toy room and kitchen
Avoid recycling label #7
Avoid touching store receipts (saves paper and doesn't expose you to BPA) opt for the store to email you instead.
Bisphenol B (BPS):
WHERE
Think you are making a safe choice by buying “BPA-free” products? Think again. BPS is themain substitute for BPA in most plastic items that claim to be BPA free
It can be found in most plastic products that claim to be "BPA free"
HOW TO AVOID
Do not purchase BPA free items thinking it is a safer alternative
Switch to glass or stainless steel
ATRAZINE:
WHERE
Found in herbicides used in the majority of corn crops in the US.
Atrazine is one of the most common contaminants of drinking water; an estimated thirty million Americans are exposed to trace amounts of the chemical.
HOW TO AVOID
Buy organic
Purchase a water filter that is certified to filter out atrazine
PHTHALATES
WHERE
Commonly found in plastic food containers, children’s toys (although some phthalates are already
banned in kid’s products), and plastics with the recycling label #3. All products (beauty , cleaning etc) that list added “fragrance” contain phthalates. Basically, anything that smells artificial has phthalates
HOW TO AVOID
Avoid air fresheners
"Fragrance" or "parfum" on a label almost always means phthalates. Instead, choose "no synthetic fragrance" or "scented with only essential oils" or "phthalate-free."
Avoid recycling codes 3 and 7
Avoid hand me down (soft) plastic toys. Most phthalates have been banned from children’s toys today, however these laws are new and old soft toys probably still have phthalates
As usual, avoid plastic when possible: obt for wood, glass or stainless steel
PBDEs/ FIRE RETARDANTS
WHERE
Used to prevent the spread of fire and are likely to be found in dozens of products in your home.
They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products and electronics.
Because fire retardant chemicals tend to migrate out of the products they accumulate in the dust we breathe and touch in our house,
HOW TO AVOID
New laws in California have made purchasing upholstered furniture without fire retardants easier. Many large companies are already selling or have promised to sell fire retardant free furniture: if you are purchasing new furniture ask the company if they offer items without fire retardants.
Older furniture is likely to contain PBDEs. Show caution if reupholstering and never leave ripped foam out in the open
It is important to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and mop frequently to clean the dust that contains PCBEs
Choose organic/ nontoxic baby products (car seats, playmats, strollers, bedding, and pijamas etc)
Remove your shoes upon entering your home
Wash your hands several times a day, which has been shown to reduce PBDE levels in your blood significantly.
Purchase PBDE free electornics (Certain PBDE-free products are now available from Canon, Dell, HP, Intel, Erickson, Apple, Acer, Nokia, Motorola, LG Electronics, and Sony)
DIOXINS
WHERE
More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish.
Dioxins tend to accumulate in the fatty issue of these animals
HOW TO AVOID
Trimming fat from meat and consuming low fat dairy products
FINAL NOTE ON "BPA FREE"
I wanted to stress how important it is to try to switch out plastic all together- even when it states the plastic is "BPA or Phthalate free". So many parents (including me for my first child) purchase items labeled "BPA free" for their children thinking they are making a healthier choice, but unfortunately recent studies are shwing that this might not be the case. A study last year found that many of these products are still leaching estrogen mimicking chemicals... among products tested? Baby bottles from: born free, Avent, Green to Grow, Evenflo and Weill Baby, and Sippy Cups from : CamelBak and Weil Baby.
At the end of the day, your safest option will always be opting for glass or stainless steel when you
can. The good news is that most of these brands also sell glass baby bottles. Born Free and Evenflo sells glass baby bottles protected with colorful silicon, as does LifeFactory. Pura and Kid Kanteen are 2 of many options that sell stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups.
Avoid pastics - switch to glass or stainless steel
Go fresh instead of canned – many food cans are lined with BPA
Never microwave plastics
Never place plastic dishes/cups in hot dishwasher (it would be wise, as mentioned earlier to stop using plastic cups and plates entirely)
Decrease plastic use in house and especially in toy room and kitchen
Avoid recycling label #7
Avoid touching store receipts (saves paper and doesn't expose you to BPA) opt for the store to email you instead.
Bisphenol B (BPS):
WHERE
Think you are making a safe choice by buying “BPA-free” products? Think again. BPS is themain substitute for BPA in most plastic items that claim to be BPA free
It can be found in most plastic products that claim to be "BPA free"
HOW TO AVOID
Do not purchase BPA free items thinking it is a safer alternative
Switch to glass or stainless steel
ATRAZINE:
WHERE
Found in herbicides used in the majority of corn crops in the US.
Atrazine is one of the most common contaminants of drinking water; an estimated thirty million Americans are exposed to trace amounts of the chemical.
HOW TO AVOID
Buy organic
Purchase a water filter that is certified to filter out atrazine
PHTHALATES
WHERE
Commonly found in plastic food containers, children’s toys (although some phthalates are already
banned in kid’s products), and plastics with the recycling label #3. All products (beauty , cleaning etc) that list added “fragrance” contain phthalates. Basically, anything that smells artificial has phthalates
HOW TO AVOID
Avoid air fresheners
"Fragrance" or "parfum" on a label almost always means phthalates. Instead, choose "no synthetic fragrance" or "scented with only essential oils" or "phthalate-free."
Avoid recycling codes 3 and 7
Avoid hand me down (soft) plastic toys. Most phthalates have been banned from children’s toys today, however these laws are new and old soft toys probably still have phthalates
As usual, avoid plastic when possible: obt for wood, glass or stainless steel
PBDEs/ FIRE RETARDANTS
WHERE
Used to prevent the spread of fire and are likely to be found in dozens of products in your home.
They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products and electronics.
Because fire retardant chemicals tend to migrate out of the products they accumulate in the dust we breathe and touch in our house,
HOW TO AVOID
New laws in California have made purchasing upholstered furniture without fire retardants easier. Many large companies are already selling or have promised to sell fire retardant free furniture: if you are purchasing new furniture ask the company if they offer items without fire retardants.
Older furniture is likely to contain PBDEs. Show caution if reupholstering and never leave ripped foam out in the open
It is important to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and mop frequently to clean the dust that contains PCBEs
Choose organic/ nontoxic baby products (car seats, playmats, strollers, bedding, and pijamas etc)
Remove your shoes upon entering your home
Wash your hands several times a day, which has been shown to reduce PBDE levels in your blood significantly.
Purchase PBDE free electornics (Certain PBDE-free products are now available from Canon, Dell, HP, Intel, Erickson, Apple, Acer, Nokia, Motorola, LG Electronics, and Sony)
DIOXINS
WHERE
More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish.
Dioxins tend to accumulate in the fatty issue of these animals
HOW TO AVOID
Trimming fat from meat and consuming low fat dairy products
FINAL NOTE ON "BPA FREE"
I wanted to stress how important it is to try to switch out plastic all together- even when it states the plastic is "BPA or Phthalate free". So many parents (including me for my first child) purchase items labeled "BPA free" for their children thinking they are making a healthier choice, but unfortunately recent studies are shwing that this might not be the case. A study last year found that many of these products are still leaching estrogen mimicking chemicals... among products tested? Baby bottles from: born free, Avent, Green to Grow, Evenflo and Weill Baby, and Sippy Cups from : CamelBak and Weil Baby.
At the end of the day, your safest option will always be opting for glass or stainless steel when you
can. The good news is that most of these brands also sell glass baby bottles. Born Free and Evenflo sells glass baby bottles protected with colorful silicon, as does LifeFactory. Pura and Kid Kanteen are 2 of many options that sell stainless steel baby bottles and sippy cups.