"An endocrine disruptor is a substance or mixture of substances that alters the functions of the endocrine system and thereby causes adverse effects in an intact organism, its offspring, or within (sub)populations." Definition by the World Health Organization (2012), endorsed by the European Commission.

Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday objects and products (household products, detergents, crop treatment products, cosmetics, food products, etc.). They are also present in the environment due to contamination of various media (water, sediments, soil, air, etc.). Biomonitoring studies in the French population have shown widespread exposure of the population, particularly children, to certain of these products (phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides, PCBs, etc.).

Their effects on human health are complex and still poorly understood, but a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that they disrupt numerous functions of the hormonal system, known as the endocrine system: reproductive, thyroid, metabolic, adrenal, and other functions. Furthermore, data show that the “1,000-day” period—spanning from prenatal development through early childhood—is particularly vulnerable to the effects of endocrine disruptors and must be a priority area of focus.

An evolving list of suspected substances

According to the 2012 WHO-UNEP report, nearly 800 chemicals have proven or suspected endocrine-disrupting properties. The list of substances suspected of causing such effects is updated regularly as new findings emerge. Among them:

• Certain pesticides (organochlorines, fungicides, herbicides)

• Plasticizers (phthalates, bisphenol A), flame retardants (PBDEs), coatings (PFAs)

• Medications: Distilbene (used to prevent miscarriages from 1940 to 1977), pain relievers (acetaminophen, NSAIDs, aspirin), antidepressants (fluoxetine)

• Substances emitted from incomplete combustion in incinerators, the metallurgical and steel industries, and the practice of burning vegetation (dioxins, furans, PCBs),

• Hygiene products (triclosan) and cosmetics (parabens)

• Phytoestrogens (soy)

Three categories of endocrine disruptors

In France, in response to a request from the Ministry of the Environment, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) published an opinion in July 2016 proposing criteria for identifying endocrine disruptors.

In its conclusions, ANSES recommends classifying endocrine disruptors into three categories: “confirmed,” “presumed,” and “suspected.”