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What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?
The foetus is the most vulnerable life in the workplace and will be affected by exposure of its father’s sperm and its mothers eggs to chemicals and then further chemical exposure as a developing foetus.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, EDCs, can affect the endocrine system and lead to diseases and dysfunctions throughout people’s lives.
They are found in our everyday lives through personal care products, household cleaning products, food packaging plastics, furniture and in children's toys and they pollute the air we breathe, food we eat, and water we drink. And they get into all those products and the environment via the products we make and so they are a workplace health and safety issue.
They are active in parts per billion or trillion. Even small exposures at specific times of foetal development can cause serious developmental issues. Exposure to EDCS, may intensify or be the main cause for the development of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer.
EDCs may impact detrimentally on male and female reproductive systems, breast development, prostate and breast cancer, neuro-endocrinology, thyroid, metabolism and obesity, and cardiovascular endocrinology.
EDCs are dramatically affecting male sperm development and leading to infertility. There are approximately 800 chemicals known or suspected to interfere with endocrine system.
Even though some (many) of these chemicals have been banned by the Stockholm Convention, they are still being detected, some of which cause cancer, are toxic to the brain and nervous system , cause birth defects or abnormal development.
Chemical exposure begins before conception in exposure of male sperm and female eggs before conception. They disrupt normal functions of cells
Hazards at Work 6th Edition | TUC
Chapter on Chemicals and Dust and Occupational Cancer
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