222
underlying mechanisms or pathways that may possibly be involved in inducing
endocrine disruption leading to obesity, diabetes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory
responses.
Keywords Biological hazard · Brominated fire retardants · Obesity · Oxidative
stress · Type 2 diabetes
Introduction
The objective of this chapter is to provide a succinct overview of a specific group of
chemicals, namely flame retardants (FRs) that are known to have endocrinal disruptive properties. A number of industries producing various daily-life commodities
utilize FRs for the protection of goods from being burnt out by the fire. In spite of
enforcement of strict safety protocols, there is a possibility of such chemicals to
escape into the environment as pollutants. Pollutants, by virtue of their nature, are
chemicals that are exogenous to the environment; thus, pose a threat not only to
humans but also to flora and fauna of the ecosystem [1]. Bioremediation in the ecosystem is responsible for degrading indigenous pollutants to clear up the environment; however, chemicals such as FRs are often resistant to biodegradation, hence
are hazardous [2]. Some chemicals for industrial applications were designed with
long half-lives for their cost-effectiveness, however ended up as environmental hazards owing to an extremely slow biodegradation [3]. Endocrinal system in humans
and animals plays a vital role in ensuring the homeostasis. The endocrine system
includes various organs consisting of endocrinal glands such as thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary, and pineal. Endocrine system also consists of single cells
and small clusters of neuroendocrine cells in various organs such as the lung and
gastrointestinal tract, and the paraganglia [4]. On a pharmacological viewpoint,
endocrine disruption caused by the chemicals can have serious health issues including obesity, diabetes and may lead to development of severe malignancies, such as
breast, prostate, and testicular cancers [5]. Recent epidemiological data have shown
a link between EDCs and metabolic diseases. While experimental data based on
in vitro studies and those executed on various animal models have suggested multiple possible pathways by which EDCs alter normal hormonal functions and promote metabolic disease, the exact mechanisms remain elusive [6]. To this end, our
focus in this chapter will be on various types of FRs that have majorly polluted our
environment and the associated human health risks pertaining to endocrinal disorders as a result of exposure to this particular pollutant group.
T. Hussain et al.
underlying mechanisms or pathways that may possibly be involved in inducing
endocrine disruption leading to obesity, diabetes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory
responses.
Keywords Biological hazard · Brominated fire retardants · Obesity · Oxidative
stress · Type 2 diabetes
Introduction
The objective of this chapter is to provide a succinct overview of a specific group of
chemicals, namely flame retardants (FRs) that are known to have endocrinal disruptive properties. A number of industries producing various daily-life commodities
utilize FRs for the protection of goods from being burnt out by the fire. In spite of
enforcement of strict safety protocols, there is a possibility of such chemicals to
escape into the environment as pollutants. Pollutants, by virtue of their nature, are
chemicals that are exogenous to the environment; thus, pose a threat not only to
humans but also to flora and fauna of the ecosystem [1]. Bioremediation in the ecosystem is responsible for degrading indigenous pollutants to clear up the environment; however, chemicals such as FRs are often resistant to biodegradation, hence
are hazardous [2]. Some chemicals for industrial applications were designed with
long half-lives for their cost-effectiveness, however ended up as environmental hazards owing to an extremely slow biodegradation [3]. Endocrinal system in humans
and animals plays a vital role in ensuring the homeostasis. The endocrine system
includes various organs consisting of endocrinal glands such as thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary, and pineal. Endocrine system also consists of single cells
and small clusters of neuroendocrine cells in various organs such as the lung and
gastrointestinal tract, and the paraganglia [4]. On a pharmacological viewpoint,
endocrine disruption caused by the chemicals can have serious health issues including obesity, diabetes and may lead to development of severe malignancies, such as
breast, prostate, and testicular cancers [5]. Recent epidemiological data have shown
a link between EDCs and metabolic diseases. While experimental data based on
in vitro studies and those executed on various animal models have suggested multiple possible pathways by which EDCs alter normal hormonal functions and promote metabolic disease, the exact mechanisms remain elusive [6]. To this end, our
focus in this chapter will be on various types of FRs that have majorly polluted our
environment and the associated human health risks pertaining to endocrinal disorders as a result of exposure to this particular pollutant group.
T. Hussain et al.