1.13 Endocrine Disruptors
25
is not valid for endocrine disruptor because the compound acts like a hormone. Thus,
effects can be highlighted at minute concentrations than a reduction of this effect at a
higher concentration. This property makes the effect of endocrine disruptors difficult
to predict (Bergman et al. 2013; Hellman 2003; WHO 2020).
Endocrine disruptors
2 are extremely varied in nature:
(1) Industrial chemical substances: plasticizers such as phthalates, bisphenol A or
alkylphenols, perfluorinated compounds, etc. As a simple example of interest,
bisphenol A is related to metal can coatings and other plastic-made objects for
food purposes (packaging) (Parisi 2012, 2013)
(2) Pesticides: organochlorines, vinclozine, etc. Clearly, their presence in harvested
products is a high concern
(3) Aromatic hydrocarbons: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), etc. Their presence
in certain materials such as fuel for thermal reactors and burned wood (for
smoking operations) is a food-related concern
(4) Medicines: anticancer drugs such as tamoxiphene, natural and synthetic estrogens (contraceptive pill), etc. The possible presence of unallowed medicines in
animal tissues has to be considered
(5) Natural substances: phytoestrogens, isoflavonoids, etc.
How does an endocrine disruptor work? It acts according to three modes of action:
(1) Mimetic effect: It can imitate the action of natural hormones such as estrogen
or testosterone, like a false key in the ‘biological locks’ that exist in organs and
cells
(2) ‘Locking’ effect: By blocking the receptors of cells receiving hormones (hormone receptors), thus preventing the action of hormones (by saturating the
receptors, for example)
(3) ‘Disturbing’ effect: By acting on the synthesis, transport, metabolism, and excretion of hormones, thus modifying the concentrations of natural hormones. These
disturbances are all the more serious as they occur early (fetus, embryo, young)
because irreversible effects can be induced.
1.14 Chemicals and Dangers: A Deep Analysis
Chemical hazards are ubiquitous in human activities and are not specific to chemical
or para-chemical industries (such as food and beverage companies): construction,
cleaning, health, personal services, metal exploitation, textile products, furniture,
food industry, carpentry, transport, and waste treatment (Hellman 2003; Silbergeld
1998; Stellman 1998). Chemicals present dangers to people, installations, and/or the
environment: acute intoxications, asphyxia, fire, explosion, pollution, ototoxic, etc.
2 An interested and constantly updated list can be found at the following Web address (by the
European Chemicals Agency): https://echa.europa.eu/it/ed-assessment.
25
is not valid for endocrine disruptor because the compound acts like a hormone. Thus,
effects can be highlighted at minute concentrations than a reduction of this effect at a
higher concentration. This property makes the effect of endocrine disruptors difficult
to predict (Bergman et al. 2013; Hellman 2003; WHO 2020).
Endocrine disruptors
2 are extremely varied in nature:
(1) Industrial chemical substances: plasticizers such as phthalates, bisphenol A or
alkylphenols, perfluorinated compounds, etc. As a simple example of interest,
bisphenol A is related to metal can coatings and other plastic-made objects for
food purposes (packaging) (Parisi 2012, 2013)
(2) Pesticides: organochlorines, vinclozine, etc. Clearly, their presence in harvested
products is a high concern
(3) Aromatic hydrocarbons: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), etc. Their presence
in certain materials such as fuel for thermal reactors and burned wood (for
smoking operations) is a food-related concern
(4) Medicines: anticancer drugs such as tamoxiphene, natural and synthetic estrogens (contraceptive pill), etc. The possible presence of unallowed medicines in
animal tissues has to be considered
(5) Natural substances: phytoestrogens, isoflavonoids, etc.
How does an endocrine disruptor work? It acts according to three modes of action:
(1) Mimetic effect: It can imitate the action of natural hormones such as estrogen
or testosterone, like a false key in the ‘biological locks’ that exist in organs and
cells
(2) ‘Locking’ effect: By blocking the receptors of cells receiving hormones (hormone receptors), thus preventing the action of hormones (by saturating the
receptors, for example)
(3) ‘Disturbing’ effect: By acting on the synthesis, transport, metabolism, and excretion of hormones, thus modifying the concentrations of natural hormones. These
disturbances are all the more serious as they occur early (fetus, embryo, young)
because irreversible effects can be induced.
1.14 Chemicals and Dangers: A Deep Analysis
Chemical hazards are ubiquitous in human activities and are not specific to chemical
or para-chemical industries (such as food and beverage companies): construction,
cleaning, health, personal services, metal exploitation, textile products, furniture,
food industry, carpentry, transport, and waste treatment (Hellman 2003; Silbergeld
1998; Stellman 1998). Chemicals present dangers to people, installations, and/or the
environment: acute intoxications, asphyxia, fire, explosion, pollution, ototoxic, etc.
2 An interested and constantly updated list can be found at the following Web address (by the
European Chemicals Agency): https://echa.europa.eu/it/ed-assessment.