Endocrine disruptors in everyday products raise medical concerns

Medical experts and specialists are raising concerns regarding the widespread presence of endocrine disruptors in everyday products. During a forum at the National Academy of Medicine, experts highlighted that these substances are found in items such as plastics, cosmetics, shampoos, nail polish, deodorants, pesticides, and food packaging.

Endocrinologist Enrique Ardila Ardila noted that these substances can lead to various health issues, including precocious puberty, fertility disorders, and osteoporosis. Pediatric endocrinologist Verónica Abad explained that these disruptors can mimic, block, or interfere with hormonal actions, affecting reproductive, neurological, and immune systems. Exposure can occur through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or even transplacental routes.

Research emphasizes the importance of the ‘cocktail effect,’ where simultaneous exposure to multiple substances may have cumulative repercussions. Vulnerable periods include fetal development, early childhood, and puberty. Additionally, recent studies have detected microplastics in human organs, including the brain, liver, and kidneys, though the specific clinical consequences of this accumulation remain under study.