Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC)

Criteria for an endocrine-disrupting chemical:

(1) an exogenous substance

(2) disrupts the endogenous hormone system

(3) causes adverse effects on the patient or the patient's progeny

Areas where EDC effects may be manifest:

(1) obesity and diabetes

(2) male and female reproduction

(3) hormone-sensitive cancers

(4) neuroendocrine systems

(5) thyroid function

Example chemicals:

(1) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

(2) pesticides

(3) plasticizers

(4) industrial solvents

(5) heavy metals (cadmium, lead)

(6) bisphenol