How do endocrine disruptors alter hormone function?
An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic chemical that when absorbed into the body can disrupt normal hormone functioning. There are four main mechanisms by which endocrine disruptors can alter normal hormone function. They can: • mimic or partially mimic the sex steroid hormones (estrogens and androgens) by binding to hormone receptors or influencing cell signalling pathways; • block, prevent and alter hormonal binding to hormone receptors or influencing cell signalling pathways; • alter the production and degradation of natural hormones; and • modify the creation and function of hormone receptors. How are we exposed? Today, synthetic chemicals with known or suspected endocrine disrupting capabilities are pervasive in our air, water and food. Workers manufacturing products containing these chemicals are also exposed in the workplace and citizens purchasing these products are exposed during use. No one – from the unborn to the oldest – has escaped exposure. To date, a large and growing nu
