Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Currently there is a lot of attention to healthy and sensible diet.
Especially for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant, it is important to have good health, which of course is largely achieved through proper and healthy diet.
Which often do not take into consideration and where previously a little attention has been paid, is the influence of endocrine disrupting substances on pregnancy.

Hormone disrupting chemicals (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, EDCs) are found in plastics, food cans, certain care products, and pesticides in fruits and vegetables. There appeared a report about these substances in 2012 made by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The conclusion of the report was "endocrine disruptors pose a global threat to public health."

The impact of endocrine disrupters
Some researchers suggest that these EDC's could be linked with fertility problems,certain types of cancer and metabolic problems.
During pregnancy, these substances would increase the sensitivity of the unborn child for the above diseases.
These risks are recognized by the WHO.


How do you get endocrine disrupters in?
You can get endocrine disrupting chemicals in through inhalation, skin contact, through the mouth.
Various studies have shown that hormone disrupting chemicals and other synthetic chemicals can cross the placenta.

What about Denmark?
In 1992, Denmark has allready ring the alarm! 15% of young Danish men has as poor sperm quality, we saw an increase in the number of men with testicular cancer, we also saw that in young women's breast development began earlier than 15 years before. This can also be seen in animals who are exposed to endocrine disruptors. The Danish Parliament has therefore developing legislation and certain prohibited substances (like all plasticizers). The starting point is the precautionary principle.
This was seen in a Zembla broadcast in December 2013.

The precautionary principle in Denmark
The precautionary principle, for example, you take a substance from the market or inform the pregnant women about the potential risks of these substances until you are sure that they really are no risk for the unborn child or young children.
Denmark considers it important to provide this information so mommy's and mommy's to be have a choice. They find that it involves risks that you should be aware of.
Therefore, every pregnant woman receives a brochure explaining how you can reduce exposure to these substances. This brochure has been developed by the Danish Ministry of Environment and ensures that every pregnant woman in Denmark have the choice for everyday things which your pregnancy (and the later health of your child) can affect.

Here in the Netherlands they find that there is insufficient evidence to these chemicals.
Despite the alarming report of the WHO, Netherlands does nothing at all to point out the risks of these substances of concern.


Source: mens-en-gezondheid.infonu.nl and Zembla.