Abstract

The development of civilization has not only improved the quality of life, but it is also responsible for increasing environmental pollution. Between 80000-100000 previously unknown chemicals have been estimated to circulate in the air. They include substances known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). These substances can naturally be found in the environment and food, or are classified as pollutants. EDCs are said to change the functionality of the endocrine system and, in this way, exert an influence on other body functions. Substances such as bisphenol A, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins are part of the endocrine disrupting chemicals. Some of these compounds (bisphenol A, phthalates) are used in the production of daily necessities like plastic food storage containers, bottles, perfumes, and shampoos. Endocrine disrupting chemicals accumulate in the adipose tissue and have been detected in biological fluids, namely serum, urine, breast milk and amniotic fluid. Exposure to EDC may cause many negative health effects. Bisphenol A, for example, can lead to diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, or fertility disorders. Classified as carcinogens, phthalates can cause reduced sperm count and testosterone levels, as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and the heart. Dioxins have also been found to exhibit carcinogenic properties. Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been linked to decreased IQ of offspring, among other problems. This article is a review of publications available on the medical databases such as Polish Medical Bibliography and PubMed-NCBI from the years 2005-2016, which covered endocrine disrupting chemicals and their influence on human beings.

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