What is the primary function of endocrine disruptors in the environment?

They interfere with hormonal functions.

They act as nutrients for microorganisms.

They stimulate photosynthesis in plants.

What effect can endocrine disruptors have on wildlife population in aquatic ecosystems?

Alteration of reproductive functions

Depletion of oxygen levels in water

Why are endocrine disruptors considered dangerous even in small amounts?

They can have significant effects on the body's hormones and health.

They can cause immediate allergic reactions in individuals.

They are difficult to detect in the environment.

They have no effect on human health.

What indirect effect might high concentrations of endocrine disruptors have on secondary consumers when primary consumers exhibit decreased fertility rates?

Secondary consumers may face food scarcity leading to reduced numbers or forced dietary shifts if primary consumer populations decline significantly due to fertility issues caused by these chemicals

Secondary consumers may experience an abundance of food as primary consumer death rates surpass birth rates due to chemical exposure

Secondary consumers may face resource competition with increased numbers of primary consumers due to chemical exposure

Secondary consumers may exhibit increased reproductive rates as primary consumer populations decline due to fertility issues caused by these chemicals

Which of the following is a common source of endocrine disruptors in aquatic environments?

Agricultural runoff containing pesticides

Thermal pollution from power plants

Acid rain from industrial emissions

Noise pollution from shipping traffic

Which of the following best describes endocrine disruptors?

Manmade or naturally occurring chemicals that affect hormones within the body

Glands within the endocrine system that produce hormones

Chemicals found in plastic items, foods, and pesticides

Hormones responsible for growth and development

Find what you need to study

Light

8.3 Endocrine Disruptors

5 min read•january 8, 2023

Meriem Bazine

Attend a live cram event

Review all units live with expert teachers & students

Overview of Endocrine Disruptors

Certain chemicals produced naturally or through human activity affect the ecosystem in a negative way.

Image Courtesy of Pexels

What are Endocrine Disruptors?

are manmade or naturally occurring chemicals that affect the hormones within your body, also known as your endocrine system.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

What is the Endocrine System?

The endocrine system has to do with your hormones, more specifically the glands within your body that do not have ducts or structures like ducts. This system includes ovaries or testes, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, pineal body, pancreas, and hormone-releasing cells in the GI tract, kidney, heart, and placenta. These specific glands release chemicals called hormones.

Examples of Hormones in the Endocrine System

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland in order to control the réalisé of the adrenal glands’ corticosteroid hormones.
Thyroid hormones: These hormones are produced in the thyroid gland and influence basically every cell in your body’s function from growth to development to metabolism.
Antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin (ADH): This hormone is made by the pituitary gland in order to stimulate water réabsorption by your kidney tubules.
Insulin
Epinephrine (adrenaline) and Norepinephrine (no adrenaline): These two hormones are created in the adrenal glands so that under stressful conditions the body can react properly.
Testosterone: This hormone is created by the adrenal gland, testes, and ovaries and is a male sex hormone.
Estrogen: Estrogen is created by the ovaries and is a female sex hormone.

Where are Endocrine Disruptors Found?

Despite how harmful they are, can be found in many of the items you use daily, such as plastic items, foods, and pesticides! Some of the most common disruptors include BPA, triclosan, and . On products such as water bottles or containers, you might see labels that say “BPA Free”, meaning that those products are free of that endocrine disruptor.

Endocrine Disruptors Affect Ecosystems

Within animals in the ecosystem, can cause unusual growth patterns and issues with reproduction. For humans, there is an increased risk of certain ailments and reproductive problems. Birth defects, gender imbalance, and issues with development can occur within both aquatic and land organisms.

Plastic items with BPA that are used by humans can end up in the oceans, where they are ingested by wildlife who are now subject to the effects of the endocrine disruptor 😔. Some take a very long time to break down, leading to further damage as more organisms come into contact with the item.

It is important to note that it is difficult to find the exact causes or that cause these issues because organisms can be exposed to many at one time, making the effects difficult to study. 🤔

Effect on Wildlife

Endocrine disruption within wildlife has more concrete evidence, perhaps due to higher levels of exposure. Some effects of exposure to within wildlife are egg thinning in birds, imposex mollusks (when females have male genitalia), feminization in freshwater fish that are exposed to treated sewage outflow, and changes in the reproduction of certain alligators and turtles. Possible effects that have less solid evidence are reproductive issues in whales, seals, and polar bears, hindered immune system function within seals, and frogs with abnormal skeletal structures.

Effect on Humans

Normally, the body’s endocrine system causes little changes in the levels of hormones. However, these seemingly small changes can lead to big effects developmentally as well as biologically. may have caused evident changes in patterns of human health over later decades. Some examples of these changes are an increase in genetic deformities within males, a higher occurrence of certain hormonally linked cancers, and the lowering of sperm count within some areas of the world. Albeit more scientifically controversial, there may also be a link between and neural formation or sexual practices.

This information results in the understanding that even if there is only a small amount of endocrine-distrusting chemicals, they may still be considered dangerous. There needs to be more research done on how potentially affect specific aspects of human health, the mechanisms behind , the mixing of different , prolonged low-dose exposure, exposure to those of varying ages, and exposure to humans that may have a higher susceptibility to .

Examples of Endocrine Disruptors

Bisphenol A (BPA): This endocrine disruptor is used to create polycarbonate plastics as well as epoxy resin. It is commonly found in plastic food storage containers.
Triclosan: These can be found in a couple of antimicrobial and/or personal care products such as body wash in liquid form.
: This endocrine disruptor is a byproduct of herbicide production as well as paper bleaching. It is also released when waste is burnt and during wildfires.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB): This endocrine disruptor is used when creating electrical equipment such as transformers as well as in hydraulic and heat transfer fluids, lubricants, and plasticizers.
: This endocrine disruptor is the byproduct of the pharmaceutical industry, aerospace, and weaponry and is found in drinking water and fireworks.
Polybrominated diphenhydramine enters (PBDE): This endocrine-disrupting chemical is used to create flame retardant household products.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): This endocrine disruptor is used within industrial spheres for firefighting foams, nonstick pans, paper, textile coating, and other products.
: This endocrine disruptor can be found in plants that have activities that are hormone-like. Some examples are genistein and daidzein in soy products such as tofu.
: These are used to make more flexible plastic as well as in some food packages, medical devices, toys for children, and cosmetics.

Further Information on Chapter 8 :

Land & Water Pollution

Major Environmental Disasters

Water Pollution Trivia

Key Terms to Review (8)

Dioxins

: Dioxins are a group of highly toxic chemical compounds that are formed as byproducts during certain industrial processes involving chlorine. They persist in the environment for a long time and can accumulate in organisms' fatty tissues, posing serious health risks.

Endocrine Disruptors

: Endocrine disruptors are chemicals or substances that interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. These disruptors can mimic or block hormones, leading to various health effects.

Perchlorate

: Perchlorate is an ion commonly found in certain fertilizers and industrial chemicals. It can contaminate water sources when it leaches into groundwater or surface water. Perchlorate exposure can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism and growth.

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

: PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used in a wide range of products due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They have been widely used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging materials, and firefighting foams.

Phthalates

: Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly used as plasticizers to make plastics more flexible and durable. They can be found in various products such as toys, food packaging, cosmetics, and medical devices.

Phytoestrogens

: Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that have a similar structure to the hormone estrogen. They can mimic or block the effects of estrogen in the body and are commonly found in soy products, flaxseeds, and some fruits and vegetables.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)

: PBDEs are a group of chemicals that were commonly used as flame retardants in various consumer products, such as electronics and furniture. They are persistent organic pollutants that can accumulate in the environment and have been linked to adverse health effects.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)

: PCBs are a group of synthetic chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment, such as transformers and capacitors, until they were banned due to their toxicity. They are persistent pollutants that can contaminate air, water, soil, and food sources.