Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are agents that interfere with human body functioning such as metabolism, transportation, secretion, and elimination. These processes are responsible for the development process, reproduction and growth. Synthetic chemicals are the common source of endocrine disruptors in the environment. These chemicals are commonly used in the industries as solvents and lubricants in the production of pesticides, fungicides, and plasticizers. Thyroid hormone is commonly used in normal brain development and controlling of the body metabolism. Endocrine disruptors affect the normal functioning of thyroid hormone in the body by disrupting the circulation of this hormone in the blood. This chemical affects the production, release, transportation, and the metabolism of the thyroid hormone in the body (Diamanti et al, 2009). In the synthesis of thyroid hormone, iodine is commonly used and its deficiency means that the production of the hormone will be affected. Once thyroid is secreted in the body, it is carried by transthyretin protein. The combination of this protein with the chemical leads to reduction of thyroid hormone in the tissue and it affects the transportation.
Regular exposure of these chemicals has resulted in contraction of obesity; research shows that this disease is said to affect more women than men and prevalence of this disease is increasing in developed countries. The rise in obesity level is triggered by the use and release of these chemicals from the industries. Studies also show that there is a rise in incidents of diabetes mellitus that is contributed by endocrine disruptors (Diamanti et al, 2009). This has been contributed by an increase in levels of dioxin. Cardiovascular diseases occur after the obesity has caused inflammation and abnormalities in the tissue making it good grounds of disease contraction. Endocrine society is engaging in activities to prevent the exposure to endocrine disruptors. The chemical policies have engaged in financing, educating and implementation to help in maintaining a healthy environment. The community has a responsibility of ensuring that these chemicals are not released in the environment and cause disabilities.
In conclusion endocrine disruptors are brought about by human activities in the environment. These chemicals are said to cause health implications on the ecosystem, hence the public has a duty to ensure that they do not release this toxic in the environment. The governments, clinical specialist have a responsibility to educate the public on this issue of endocrine disruptors.
REFERENCES
Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., Bourguignon, J., Giudice, L.C., Hauser, R., Prins, G.S., Soto, A. M. &
Gore, A.C. (2009). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: An Endocrine Society scientific
statement. The Endocrine Society, 30(4), 293-342.
