Environmental Contamination and Human Exposure to Select Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: A Review

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that interfere with the normal hormone functions and ultimately lead to health disorders. Parabens, phenols, and phthalates are well-known EDCs, produced globally in large quantities and widely used in a variety of applications. Several studies have monitored these compounds in a variety of environmental matrices, including air, water, sediment, fish, human tissues, soil, indoor dust, and biosolids, etc. In recent years, environmental contamination and human exposure to these chemicals have become a great concern, due to their residue levels exceeding the permissible/acceptable limits. In this review, we focus on the origin of these EDCs, aquatic contamination pathways, distribution, human exposure, health implications, and healthcare costs. Further, this review identifies critical challenges and future research needs in removing or minimizing environmental contamination and exposure to these chemicals to protect living resources.

Association of Serum Levels of Plasticizers Compounds, Phthalates and Bisphenols, in Patients and Survivors of Breast Cancer: A Real Connection?

“…Both phthalates and bisphenols have demonstrated a positive correlation with BC development in animal models [8][9][10][11] and with the proliferation of BC cells [12][13][14][15]. Phthalates and bisphenols are implicated in activating different cell signaling pathways through the stimulation of different steroid receptors, especially the ER, characteristic for which they have been called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) [16,17]. Furthermore, these compounds are implicated in the stimulation of ER-negative BC cells proliferation, including HER2+ and TN BC cells, through a mechanism associated with the activation of different growth factor receptors and mitogenic signaling pathways [11,14,15].…”

Behavioral Effects of Exposure to Phthalates in Female Rodents: Evidence for Endocrine Disruption?

“…Second, a majority of available studies used phthalate doses in the mg to g range, higher than the NOAEL established for these substances ( Figure 2 ). This could be barely relevant for the doses estimated for the environmental exposure to phthalates, which are in general at the microgram or nanogram range [ 93 ]. Moreover, the endocrine mode(s) of action characterized for an adverse effect induced by high doses of a substance can be secondary to other general effects; this point is not specific to phthalates or females but concerns many other substances and both sexes.…”

Contamination of Bisphenol A, Nonylphenol, Octylphenol, and Estrone in Major Rivers of Mega Manila, Philippines

“…Exposure of fish to EDCs can result in reproductive impairment, altered mating behavior, and modification in sexual characteristics causing delayed production and lower yields (Brion et al, 2004; Paraso et al, 2017). While there are more studies on the effects of exposure of fish to EDCs, there are reviews compiling the concerning effects of EDCs to humans such as hormonal imbalances, disturbances in reproductive health, and raised risks of cancer (Monisha et al, 2023; Sangeetha et al, 2021). Due to these possible health effects, it is important to monitor and regulate contamination of EDCs in the environment.…”

“…According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), EDCs are “exogenous agents that interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis and regulation of developmental processes” (USEPA, 2002). Unabated release of these contaminants into aquatic environments has worsened with increase in population, urbanization, and modernization (Mohapatra et al, 2010; Nazifa et al, 2020; Sangeetha et al, 2021). Endocrine‐disrupting compounds are usually classified according to their sources and/or function.…”