EDC | Route of exposure[1] | Activity | Outcome in humans | Prevention |
BPA | - Contaminated food, water
- Prenatal exposure
| | - Decreased sperm quality
- Sperm DNA damage[3]
| - Use of BPA-free household products
|
DDT | - Imported food/seafood
- Water, air, dust
- Prenatal exposure
| | - Possible increased risk of human breast cancer[4]
| - Cook seafood thoroughly
- Repeated washing of produce
|
DES | - Pharmaceutical exposure
- Prenatal exposure
| | - Infertility, reproductive tract abnormalities, cancer[5,6]
| - For males with in utero exposure: regular prostate and testicular cancer screening examinations
- For females with in utero exposure: gynecological screening for vaginal/cervical clear cell adenocarcinoma[7]
|
Dioxin | - Contaminated food, water
- Inhalation
| - Context-dependent estrogenic, androgen agonist/activity
| - Increase in diabetes, gastrointestinal and lymphatic cancers[8]
| - Stricter control of industrial processes
- Choose organic produce
- Avoid use of bleached paper products (diapers, paper towels)
|
Genistein | - Food (soy, legumes, grains, nuts)
| | - Cancer: pro- or antiproliferative depending on dose and tissue type[9]; protective in breast cancer[10]
| - Avoid concentrated soy proteins[11]
|
Phthalates | - Food packaging, cosmetics, household products
- Prenatal exposure
| | - Alterations in neonatal androgens and Leydig cell function[12]
| - Use of filtered water
- Avoiding plastics in food preparation and storage
- Use of fragrance-free products
|
PCBs | - Contaminated food
- Occupational exposure through inhalation and skin by industrial and construction materials manufactured before 1978 in the United States and 2004 worldwide[13]
| - Context-dependent androgen agonist/activity
- Weak estrogenic
| - Prostate cancer[14]
- Dermal lesions[15]
| - Use of protective clothing and facial and respiratory protective equipment when working with industrial or construction materials manufactured before 1978
|