Endocrine disruptor
Definition
Endocrine disruptors are substances that can interfere with the hormonal system in living organisms, causing adverse effects on growth, development, reproduction, and behavior.
Analogy
Imagine endocrine disruptors as sneaky spies who infiltrate your body's communication network (hormones) and mess up important messages between different parts of your body.
Related terms
Dioxins: Toxic compounds that can act as endocrine disruptors and are released into the environment through industrial processes.
Pesticides: Certain pesticides contain chemicals that can also function as endocrine disruptors.
Estrogen mimics: Chemicals that resemble estrogen hormone molecules and can cause disruption when they bind to estrogen receptors in the body.
"Endocrine disruptor" appears in:
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (5)
Which endocrine disruptor is commonly found in plastic food storage containers?
Which endocrine disruptor is a byproduct of herbicide production and paper bleaching?
Which endocrine disruptor is commonly used in nonstick pans and firefighting foams?
Which endocrine disruptor is used to create flame retardant household products?
Which endocrine disruptor is commonly used to make flexible plastics and can be found in some food packages and cosmetics?
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