What are endocrine disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors are industrially produced chemical substances that imitate hormones by binding to a hormone receptor of a cell, causing an effect similar to the hormone or blocking the receptor. They thus alter the function of the endocrine system and are strongly suspected of leading to health damage to lead:
- Decrease in fertility due to a decrease in sperm quality
- Malformations of male and female genital organs
- Metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity)
- Behavioural problems such as autism, ADHD
- Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.
- Autoimmune diseases
- Earlier onset of puberty
- Occurrence of tumours (prostate, testicular and breast cancer) due to imitation of sex hormones
- in addition, a Reduction of intelligence discusses
Currently, the European Commission 28 substances and ingredients discussed that could possibly be endocrine active. 14 substances of these have a high priority. In a EU overview study include 6 substances (benzophenone-3, kojic acid, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, propylparaben, Triclosan and resorcinol), which are used in cosmetic products and are not yet covered by an existing or ongoing ban.
| INCI name (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) | Chemical name |
|---|---|
| Benzophenone-3 | 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone |
| Kojic acid | 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyrone |
| 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor | (±)-1,7,7-trimethyl-3-[(4-methylphenyl)methylene]bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones |
| Propylparaben | Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate |
| Triclosan | 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol |
| Resorcinol | 1,3-benzenediol |
| Octocrylene | 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl acrylic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester |
| Triclocarban | 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea |
| BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) | 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol |
| Benzophenone | Benzophenone |
| Homosalate | 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl) ester or benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl ester |
| Benzyl salicylate | Benzyl salicylate |
| Genistein | 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-benzopyrone |
| Daidzein | 4′,7-dihydroxyisoflavone or 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one or 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one". |
Furthermore, the following are listed as suspected endocrine disruptors
- Butylparaben,
- Tert-butylhydroxyanisole/Butylated hydroxyanisole/BHA,
- Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate(EHMC)/Octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC)/Octinoxate,
- Benzophenone-1/BP-1, Benzophenone-2/BP-2, Benzophenone-4/BP-4, Benzophenone-5/BP-5,
- Methylparaben,
- Cyclopentasiloxanes/decamethylcyclopentasiloxanes/D5,
- Cyclomethicone,
- Salicylic acid,
- Butylphenyl methylpropianol/BMHCA,
- Triphenyl Phosphate and
- Deltamethrin.
When, for which substance and whether a ban under the Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 of the European Parliament on cosmetic products is currently still unclear.
© Dr. med. Dipl. Biol. Susanne Saha 03/2021
