What are endocrine disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors are substances that have an effect in the body similar to natural hormones. Unfortunately, they are associated with a variety of health problems that have become increasingly observable worldwide in recent decades. These can include:

• decline in sperm quality
• certain hormone-related cancers such as breast, prostate and testicular cancer
• premature puberty in girls
• hormonal disorders
• fertility problems
• diabetes

Fetuses in the womb, young children and pubescents are also particularly at risk from the hormonal potency of chemicals and other substances, as these substances can interfere with healthy, natural development.

Hormonally active substances are used in numerous everyday products with which we come/are in constant contact. They can be found in cosmetics, toys, shoes, sporting goods and many other products. Approximately 800 chemicals are currently considered potential endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors act similarly to the body’s own hormones and can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance of humans and animals and, unfortunately, can be harmful even in the smallest amounts.

According to Article 15 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, the handling of endocrine disrupting chemicals should have been reviewed and appropriate measures taken as early as 2015. However, the first steps in this direction were not taken until 2019: a list of 28 substances with potentially hormone-damaging effects was published, and the Commission saw a higher priority for half of these substances. These 28 chemicals, with the addition of Ethylparaben, became the basis for voluntary labeling of cosmetics as a new priority list.

The endocrine disruptors most commonly found are chemicals called parabens. They are mostly used as preservatives. The UV filters Ehtylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (OMC) and the so-called Benzophenones are also often found. All other listed substances are used less frequently.

These substances are frequently found:

• Methylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
• Cyclomethicone (alternative name: Cyclotetrasiloxane)
• Alcohol denat. (denatured alcohol)
• Triclosan

These substances occur less frequently:

 

• Resorcinol (Caution: commonly found in hair dyes)
• Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-2 (Caution: frequently found in sunscreen)
• BHA
• Diethylphthalate
• 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, 3-Benzylidene Camphor
• Hydroxycinnamic Acid
• Boric Acid
• Dihydroxybiphenyl

The European Union has drawn up a suspect list for endocrine disrupting chemicals, the so-called “EU priority list”. 194 chemicals have been classified in this priority list in the highest category – category 1 – because endocrine-disrupting effects in animals have been found for these substances in tests. All parabens, for example, are classified in the highest category on the EU priority list for endocrine-disrupting chemicals. A special feature of many endocrine-disrupting chemicals is that, unfortunately, like our body’s own hormones, they exert their effect even in very small quantities. For example, the most commonly used substance in cosmetics, “methylparaben”, has such an effect. We recommend an in-depth check of one’s own home to ensure that hormonally active substances can be avoided wherever possible. When shopping, it is also advisable to check products for their ingredients before buying them. Apps that check the product for harmful and/or hormonally active substances by simply scanning the barcode can be helpful.