Environmental Contamination and Human Exposure to Select Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: A Review

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that interfere with the normal hormone functions and ultimately lead to health disorders. Parabens, phenols, and phthalates are well-known EDCs, produced globally in large quantities and widely used in a variety of applications. Several studies have monitored these compounds in a variety of environmental matrices, including air, water, sediment, fish, human tissues, soil, indoor dust, and biosolids, etc. In recent years, environmental contamination and human exposure to these chemicals have become a great concern, due to their residue levels exceeding the permissible/acceptable limits. In this review, we focus on the origin of these EDCs, aquatic contamination pathways, distribution, human exposure, health implications, and healthcare costs. Further, this review identifies critical challenges and future research needs in removing or minimizing environmental contamination and exposure to these chemicals to protect living resources.