<strong>Hormone disruptors also called Endocrine disruptors</strong> are being blamed for our rising rates of:
<ul>
	<li>Endometrial cancer</li>
	<li>Breast cancer</li>
	<li>PCOS - Poly-cycstic Ovarian Syndrome</li>
	<li>Endometriosis</li>
	<li>Fibroids</li>
	<li>Infertility</li>
	<li>and other problems, including testicular &amp; prostrate cancer in men.</li>
</ul>
We encounter hundreds or thousands of hormone disruptors every day.  They are found in plastic, metal food cans, household cleaners &amp; detergents, food, flame retardants, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.

Known &amp; Suspected Hormone Disruptors

Based on the research I've done about hormone disruptors here is a list of some of the more commonly discussed chemicals that mess around with our hormones in one way or another.  Clicking each compound name listed will take you to the Wikipedia® article if you'd like to read more.
<ul>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Paraben - Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben" target="_blank">Parabens</a></span> - known to mimic estrogen &amp; <strong>linked to breast cancer</strong>. Widely found in makeup, moisturizers which may be why one study found significantly higher levels in women than men</li>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="BHA - Wikipedia Link" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butylated_hydroxyanisole" target="_blank">BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole)</a></span> - Food preservative also found in moisturizers and cosmetics such as lipsticks. Listed as a <strong>carcinogenic</strong> by the State of California. Health Canada lists BHA as "<strong>high human health priority"</strong>.  European Union prohibits it's use in fragrances. BHA interferes with hormone function.</li>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="BHT" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butylated_hydroxytoluene" target="_blank">BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene)</a></span> - closely related to BHA. May mimic estrogen and cause adverse affects to reproductive health.  Health Canada lists BHT as "moderate human health priority".</li>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Phthalate - Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate" target="_blank">Phthalates</a></span> - are used in a wide variety of products, including nail products, children's toys, coating on pharmaceuticals, plastics, etc.  Certain phthalates have been shown to have an adverse affect on reproductive health and disrupt hormones.</li>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Triclosan - Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan" target="_blank">Triclosan</a></span> - found in antibacterial products such as soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, hand sanitizers,  antiperspirants/deodorants, laundry detergent, facial tissues, trash bags.  Suspected as interfering with hormone function.</li>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Formaldehyde_releaser" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde_releaser" target="_blank">Formaldehyde releasing preservatives </a></span>(DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium-15 and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate) - a <strong>known carcinogen</strong> to humans but still widely used in hair products, moisturizers, nail polishes, building supplies, etc.</li>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="PEG - Polyethylene Glycol" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol" target="_blank">PEG (polyethylene glycols)</a></span> - Can be contaminated with 1, 4 dioxans <strong>potentially carcinogenic</strong>. Unfortunately, PEG is frequently found in otherwise safe personal care products.</li>
	<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Petrolatum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrolatum" target="_blank">Petrolatum</a></span> - petroleum jelly - a known endocrine disruptor. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES) - found in foamy products like soaps, shampoos, cleansers, bubble baths.  Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxan which is <strong>potentially carcinogenic.</strong></li>
	<li>Coal Tar Dyes - colors identified as CI followed by five digits</li>
	<li>DEA, cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA -</li>
</ul>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Environmental Working Group's Hall of Shame" href="http://static.ewg.org/reports/2012/cleaners_hallofshame/cleaners_hallofshame.pdf" target="_blank">Environmental Working Group's Hall of Shame</a></span> - to see the worst offenders - some of these toxic chemicals are banned in certain countries, some have ingredients known to be carcinogenic.   And some of these products pretend they are "green" - some I've had them in my own home thinking I was doing the right thing by buying "Green" products!  I'm a sucker!

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Environmental Working Group's Guide to Cleaners" href="http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners" target="_blank">Environmental Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning</a></span> - Look up the Cleaning Products that you use &amp; see what you're bringing into your house maybe without even knowing it!  EWG - rates common products for

<strong>Dr. Theo Colborn's book "Our Stolen Future"</strong> is a must-read for anyone interested in the topic of hormone disruption.  Click here for a more detailed chart from their website:  <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Chart of Endocrine Disruptors" href="http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Basics/chemlist.htm" target="_blank">Endocrine Disruptor Chart from OurStolenFuture.org</a></span>

<strong>Environmental Working Group</strong> has a list of every chemical under the sun! You can look up virtually any compound on their website and find out the good, bad and the ugly.  Check out their<a title="EWG's list of ALL chemicals" href="http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/list" target="_blank"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">list of all chemicals</span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>or read more on their site about hormone disruptors, such as formaldehyde-releasers in baby formulas.

David Suzuki Foundation has a list of the <a title="David Suzuki Foundation Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics" href="http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/" target="_blank">"<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dirty Dozen</span>"</a> chemicals to avoid in cosmetics.

I am constantly doing research and compiling lists of articles and further reading about the negative effects of Endocrine Disruptors on our health.
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scary but Compelling Articles About Hormone Disruptors</span></h3>
Click on the links below to read more about hormone disruptors:

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Medical News Today - Xenoestrogens" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245485.php" target="_blank">Medical News Today</a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="National Institute of Health Sciences" href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm" target="_blank">National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences</a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Endocrine Society - Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals - A Scientific Study" href="http://www.endo-society.org/journals/ScientificStatements/upload/EDC_Scientific_Statement.pdf" target="_blank">The Endocrine Society - Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals - A Scientific Statement </a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="TEDx - The Endocrine Disruption Exchange" href="http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/home.php" target="_blank">TEDx - The Endocrine Disruption Exchange</a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Journal of Environmental &amp; Public Health - Endocrine Disrupters" href="http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/713696/" target="_blank">Journal of Environmental &amp; Public Health</a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Wikipedia - Endorcrine Disruptor" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Endocrine Disruptor</a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Natural Resources Defence Council" href="http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/qendoc.asp" target="_blank">Natural Resources Defence Council</a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="EPA" href="http://www.epa.gov/endocrine/#eds" target="_blank">Environmental Protection Agency </a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="NIEHS - Recent Endocrine Research Resources" href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/endocrine_research_resources.pdf" target="_blank">NIEHS - Recent Endocrine Research Resources </a></span>

Please feel free to point me toward any studies or further reading that my readers would find informative. Thanks!

Like I said, there are other ways your hormones can get disrupted, here are some links explaining the mechanisms:

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Todipedia - Endocrine Disruptors" href="http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Endocrine+Disruptors" target="_blank">Toxipedia - Endocrine Disruptors</a></span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Mechanisms of Endocrine Disruption" href="http://website.lineone.net/~mwarhurst/mechanisms.html" target="_blank">Mechanisms of Endocrine Disruption</a></span>