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Essay On Endocrine Disruptors

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These glands are accountable for the production and regulation of hormones that are released into the blood circulation and dispersed to target sites. Hormones behave as chemical carriers regulating essential body functions such as blood pressure, sexual reproduction, blood glucose levels, fluid stability and development (GreenFacts Scientific Board). However recent studies suggest that a variety of substances such as natural and man-made are interacting with the endocrine system resulting in adverse health effects, such as a decrease of male fertility, deformities in male reproductive organs, female reproductive disorders, and potiental effects of the development of the nervous system and immune system. With a decline in quantities of males reproducing throughout living organisms …show more content…

Endocrine disruptors include pharmaceuticals such as dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT, and plasticizers such as bisphenol A. In addition to being present in pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors can also be located in manufacturing products such as plastic bottles, metal food cans, cosmetics, pesticides, dietary supplements, and children’s toys (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). Recent studies involving animals have linked the impact of endocrine disruptors and their mechanism to the endocrine system. The endocrine disruptors have the ability to imitate natural occurring hormones produce in the body such as estrogen, androgens and thyroid hormones. Endocrine disruptors also have the capability to bind and inhibit endogenous receptors thus resulting in improper signally throughout the body. Furthermore, Endocrine disruptors can coordinate simultaneously to produce additive/synergistic effects that are unnoticeable with discrete

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