Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are synthetic chemicals that when absorbed into the body, they either block or mimic hormones and disrupt the body’s normal functions. These disruptions can happen through stimulating or halting the production of hormones, changing the way hormones travel through the body, or altering normal hormone levels; hence, affecting the functions that these hormones control (Rogers, et al., 2013). People can get exposed to endocrine disruptors through the direct contact with pesticides and other chemicals or thorough taking contaminated food, water, or air. Chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors are mainly found in herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and fumigants that are used in agricultural activities and in homes (Rogers, et al., 2013).
Both man- made and naturally occurring substances can be endocrine disruptors. Most of the endocrine disruptors enter water or the air as byproducts of many manufacturing and chemical processes and when plastics and other materials are burned. Studies also show that endocrine disruptors filtrate out of plastics, including the type of plastics that are often used in making hospital intravenous bags (Rogers, et al., 2013). Most of the endocrine disruptors are persistent in the environment and largely accumulate in fat. For this reason, the greatest exposure to endocrine disruptors comes from fish from contaminated water and fatty foods. The persistent nature of the endocrine disruptors means that the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors may continue even after the exposure has ceased. Most industrial workers are exposed to chemicals such as resins, plasticizers, and resins with endocrine disrupting properties (Heindel, 2008).
I feel this issue should be given significant consideration because there is enough evidence that humans re susceptible to endocrine disruption. The exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals has caused many animals and plants to exhibit signs of ill health (Robbins, 2010). As such, we should be concerned given the fact that birds, fish, alligators and other vertebrates have been affected. This is because all vertebrates including humans, birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians are similar during their early embryonic development. I have not observed any signs of endocrine disruptors in me but I feel that the water I drink may be exposed to endocrine disruptors.
This is because chemicals such as Triclosan, known to be endocrine disruptors, are found in products that I use on a daily basis. For instance, triclosan is present in toothpaste, mouth wash, shaving cream, deodorant, and soap. This chemical can combine with chlorine in tap water to form other chemicals (Heindel, 2008). Minimizing the exposure to endocrine disruptors involves adopting measure aimed at avoiding chemicals that are known to be endocrine disruptors. For instance, to avoid lead, the best measure is to keep my home clean and well- maintained. This also involves getting rid of crumbling old paint since it is a major source of lead exposure. Furthermore, installing good water filters at home can reduce the exposure to lead in drinking water. Studies have also shown that eating healthy diets minimizes lead absorption.Another measure …
