Obesity

Diabetes

Female reproduction

Male reproduction

Hormone-sensitive cancers in women

Prostate problems in men

Thyroid problems

Neurodevelopment and neuroendocrine system effects

Bisphenol-A (BPA)

Dioxin

Atrazine

Phthalates

Perchlorate

Fire retardants (polybrominated diethyl ethers or PBDEs)

Lead

Mercury

Arsenic

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)

Organophosphate pesticides

Glycol ethers

Personal care products — Shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, cosmetics and other personal care products often contain EDCs, including (but certainly not limited to) phthalates, associated with testicular cancer, genital deformations, low sperm counts and infertility in a number of species, including polar bears, deer, whales and otters, just to name a few. Another EDC found in this category is triclosan, found in many products boasting antibacterial properties.

Avoid by — Switching to certified organic and/or homemade personal care products. You can also try to cut down on the number of personal care products you use every day. Avoid antibacterial soaps, wipes and sanitizer gels. All you need to degerm your hands is warm water and a mild soap using proper handwashing technique.

Drinking water — Your drinking water may be contaminated with atrazine, glyphosate, arsenic, perchlorate and/or fire retardant chemicals,¹⁵ all of which may disrupt your endocrine system.

Avoid by — Filtering your water, both at your tap and your shower/bath, using a high-quality water filtration system.

Canned goods and nonstick food packaging — These are common sources of BPA and similar EDCs such as BPS, or other toxic substitutes such as PVC.¹⁶ According to a 2017 investigation by the Center for Environmental Health, 38 percent of canned foods still contain BPA.¹⁷

Avoid by — Buying products that come in glass bottles and jars rather than plastic or cans.

Conventionally grown produce and CAFO meat, poultry and dairy products — Pesticides, herbicides and industrial runoff may coat your conventionally grown fruits and vegetables in EDCs. Animals raised on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) also typically contain antibiotics, hormones and other industrial chemicals that may disrupt your endocrine system.

Avoid by — Buying and eating organic produce and grass fed animal products to minimize exposure to endocrine-disrupting pesticides, herbicides and veterinary drugs.

Also, wash all produce before eating, even if it’s organic. Organic foods have a 30 percent lower risk of pesticide contamination,¹⁸ but it's not entirely possible to guarantee organic produce is pesticide-free, as it is sometimes located in adjacent fields to farms where pesticides are used.¹⁹

Research suggests pesticide residues on apples are most effectively removed using a 1% baking soda and water solution. The researchers recommend using 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 2 cups of water and gently scrubbing your produce to remove surface pesticides.²⁰

High-mercury fish — Fish contaminated with high levels of mercury and other heavy metals are problematic because such metals also disrupt your hormonal balance. Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, sea bass and tuna are among the worst offenders.

Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration²¹ have placed canned tuna on its “choices to avoid” list for pregnant women and small children due to its high mercury levels. Farmed fish (the "CAFOS of the sea") also tend to be higher in contaminants and are better off avoided. Farmed salmon is among the very worst in this regard, which is why I recommend avoiding all farmed salmon.

Avoid by — Carefully selecting seafood known to be low in mercury and other contaminants. Some of your safest and healthiest options include smaller fish such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel and herring. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is another good choice.

For more information about mercury in fish, see the Mercury Policy Project’s website, Mercury and Fish: The Facts.²² They have a helpful guide you can print out for reference.²³ A 2015 article in Investigate West also addressed this issue, and includes a guide to how many meals per week you can safely eat based on any given seafood’s contamination level.

Kitchenware — Plastic containers and bottles may contain BPA or other endocrine-disrupting plastic chemicals that can leach into your food, especially if the plastic is heated. Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used to create nonstick, stain-resistant and water-repellant surfaces are also toxic and highly persistent, both in your body and in the environment.

When heated, nonstick cookware releases perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been linked to thyroid disease, infertility and developmental and reproductive problems.

Avoid by — Using glass containers and ceramic and enameled cast iron cookware, both of which are durable, easy to clean (even the toughest cooked-on foods can be wiped away after soaking it in warm water), and completely inert, which means they won't release any harmful chemicals into your home. If you do use plastic containers, do not heat food in them in the microwave.

Cleaning products — Commercial solutions used to clean your floors, toilets, oven, windows and more typically contain industrial chemicals that may throw your hormones out of whack. Many EDCs also lurk in fragrances, and this applies to personal care products as well.

Avoid by — Creating your own cleaning products using different combinations of vinegar, baking soda, essential oils and even coconut oil. Avoid scented products, including air fresheners, scented trash bags and so on.

Household dust — Fire retardant chemicals are often found lurking in household dust²⁴ as they shed from treated furniture such as couches, mattresses and carpet padding.

Avoid by — Buying “green” nontoxic furniture, mattresses and building materials whenever possible and using a HEPA filter for your vacuum. When mopping and dusting, use a wet mop or rag to avoid scattering the dust.

Office products — Ink cartridges, toners and other solvents common in office environments are another common source of EDCs.

Avoid by — Handling such products with care and minimize your exposure as much as possible.

Cash register receipts — Thermal paper typically contains BPA,²⁵ and research²⁶ shows handling this type of paper is enough to increase the BPA level in your body.

Holding the paper for just five seconds was enough to transfer BPA onto a person's skin, and the amount of BPA transferred increased by about 10 times if the fingers were wet or greasy (such as if you've just applied lotion or eaten greasy food).

Finally, because receipts are often stored next to paper currency in people's wallets, paper currency may also be contaminated with BPA. In a study²⁷ published in Environmental Science and Technology, researchers analyzed paper currencies from 21 countries for the presence of BPA, and the chemical was detected in every sample.

Avoid by — Using paperless receipts via email or text message. Avoid carrying receipts in your wallet or purse, as it appears the chemical can transfer onto other surfaces.

It would also be wise to wash your hands after handling receipts and currency, and avoid handling them particularly if you've just put on lotion or have any other greasy substance on your hands, as this may increase your exposure. If you're a cashier or bank teller who handles such papers often, you may want to wear gloves, especially if you're pregnant or of child-bearing age.