Unlocking India’s Potential in Managing Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs): Importance, Challenges, and Opportunities

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a prime concern for the environment and health globally. Research shows that in developing countries such as India both the environment and human populations are severely exposed to EDCs and consequently experience rising incidents of adverse health effects such as diabetes and cancers. In this paper, we discuss the current EDC management approach in India, critically assess its limitations, and describe opportunities for potential improvements. Foremost, current EDC management actions and interventions in India are fragmented and outdated, and far behind the modern and comprehensive approaches adopted in the European Union and other developed countries. Strong and well-planned actions are required on various fronts of science, policy, commerce, and public engagement. These actions include the adoption of a dedicated and modern regulatory framework for managing EDCs, enhancing capacity and infrastructure for EDC monitoring in the environment and human population, employing public–private partnership programs for not only managing EDCs but also in the sectors that indirectly contribute toward the mismanagement of EDCs in the country, and raising awareness on EDCs and promoting health-preserving consumption habits among the public. As India hosts a large proportion of the global human population and biodiversity, the success or failure of its actions will substantially affect the direction of global efforts to manage EDCs and set an example for other developing countries.

A review of advanced wastewater treatment technologies: USA vs. Africa

“…However, opportunities emerge in decentralized approaches and nature-based solutions tailored to local conditions. International partnerships, capacity-building programs, and targeted investments present avenues for overcoming infrastructure challenges and unlocking the potential for sustainable wastewater treatment (Sharma et al, 2023).…”

Target and Suspect Screening for Organic Additives in Six Classifications of Personal Care Products Using Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

“…Parabens have the ability to disrupt normal hormonal levels and may exert an array of inimical consequences on human health. , Parabens and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA) have been limited to 0.4% (as acid, w/w ) for a single ester and 0.8% (as acid, w/w ) for a mixture of esters in EU cosmetics (The European Parliament and of the Council, 2009). From multiple perspectives, the risk management, detection methodology, and monitoring framework of EDCs and their potential improvements have become hot environmental issues in recent years. − …”

Editorial: Emerging contaminants and their effect on agricultural crops

“…For example, specific antibiotic exposure has been found to disrupt the normal growth and development processes in plants ( Zhang et al., 2017 ; Li et al., 2023 ). EDCs may enter agricultural systems through water sources or agricultural chemicals, affecting reproductive and developmental processes in crop plants and animals ( Pridemore, 2021 ; Sharma et al., 2022 ; Thacharodi et al., 2023 ). PFAS compounds contain at least one aliphatic perfluorocarbon moiety and have also been detected in soil and water near agricultural areas due to anthropogenic activities, raising concerns about their impact on crops and the food chain ( Adu et al., 2023 ; Karamat et al., 2023 ; Nassazzi et al., 2023 ).…”