Uncovering Evidence: Associations between Environmental Contaminants and Disparities in Women’s Health

Abstract

Over the years, industrial accidents and military actions have led to unintentional, large-scale, high-dose human exposure to environmental contaminants with endocrine-disrupting action. These historical events, in addition to laboratory studies, suggest that exposure to toxicants such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls negatively impact the reproductive system and likely influence the development of gynecologic diseases. Although high-level exposure to a single toxicant is rare, humans living in industrialized countries are continuously exposed to a complex mixture of manmade and naturally produced endocrine disruptors, including persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. Since minorities are more likely to live in areas with known environmental contamination; herein, we conducted a literature review to identify potential associations between toxicant exposure and racial disparities in women’s health. Evidence within the literature suggests that the body burden of environmental contaminants, especially in combination with inherent genetic variations, likely contributes to previously observed racial disparities in women’s health conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, uterine fibroids, and premature birth.

Gene Expression Profile of Uterine Leiomyoma from Women Exposed to Different Air Pollution Levels in Metropolitan Cities of Sao Paulo, Brazil

“…A recent study demonstrated that chronic exposure to PM 2.5 was associated with the incidence of clinically symptomatic LMs [23]. In addition, chronic exposure to PM 2.5 led to endocrine disturbance, menstrual irregularity, and infertility, as described in several studies [20][21][22][23][24].…”

“…Over the last decade, chronic exposure to ambient air pollution (AP) has become increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for LM development [22]. The serious implications and health impairments arising from these adverse conditions may be perpetuated for subsequent generations [22][23][24][25]. Adverse environmental exposure, both in utero or in early life, can lead to metabolic and epigenetic changes that culminate in LM development and reproductive complications in adulthood and subsequent generations [24,25].…”

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Promotes the Development of Endometrial Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo

“…EDCs are primarily derived from environmental pollutants and preservatives. They can disrupt endogenous hormone metabolism by mimicking their function [6]. Increased levels of organic pollutants in the abdominal adipose tissue of patients with endometrial stromal sarcomas implies that organic pollutants have a tendency to bioaccumulate in human tissues and may contribute to their negative effects on cells [7].…”

“…Organic pollutants have been found to be positively correlated with FSH in middle-aged menopausal transitional women [9]. Furthermore, there are some potential links between endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs) and estrogen-dependent diseases such as EC, endometriosis, and breast cancer [4,6]. Recently, several studies have suggested that FSH is associated with EC.…”