8.3 Endocrine Disruptors

• Endocrine disruptors can accumulate in the food chain.

  True
• Match the mechanism of endocrine disruption with an example:

  Mimic hormones ↔️ BPA mimics estrogen

  Block hormones ↔️ DDT blocks androgen receptors

  Alter hormone synthesis ↔️ Certain fungicides affect thyroid hormone levels
• Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) has been associated with hormone-sensitive cancers
• What is one reproductive issue in wildlife caused by endocrine disruptors?

  Feminization of male fish
• DDT exposure led to thin eggshells in bald eagles, causing a population decline.


  True
• What industrial chemical is a common endocrine disruptor?

  Bisphenol A (BPA)
• One example of a pesticide that is an endocrine disruptor is DDT
• What type of pharmaceuticals can act as endocrine disruptors?

  Birth control pills
• Endocrine disruptors primarily act through three mechanisms, one of which is mimicking hormones
• Match the mechanism of endocrine disruption with its action and example:

  Mimic hormones ↔️ Activates receptors by imitating hormones ||| Bisphenol A (BPA) mimics estrogen

  Block hormones ↔️ Prevents hormone binding to receptors ||| DDT blocks androgen receptors

  Alter hormone synthesis ↔️ Affects hormone production or metabolism ||| Certain fungicides affect thyroid hormone levels
• Examples of environmental consequences of endocrine disruptors in different species

  1️⃣ Feminization of male fish

  2️⃣ Developmental abnormalities in amphibians

  3️⃣ Reproductive failure in birds
• Individuals can reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors by avoiding products containing BPA
• What are endocrine disruptors?

  Chemicals that interfere with hormones
• Common sources of endocrine disruptors include pesticides, industrial chemicals, and personal care products
• What type of problems can endocrine disruptors cause?

  Developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune
• Mechanisms by which endocrine disruptors affect the endocrine system

  1️⃣ Mimic hormones

  2️⃣ Block hormones

  3️⃣ Alter hormone synthesis
• What regulates bodily processes by binding to receptors?

  Hormones
• What developmental issues are linked to endocrine disruptors?

  Birth defects
• Endocrine disruptors in wildlife can lead to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and immune suppression
• Endocrine disruptors can accumulate in the food chain.


  True
• Bisphenol A (BPA) is classified as an industrial chemical that is an endocrine disruptor.

  True
• Steps of how endocrine disruptors affect the environment and humans

  1️⃣ Chemicals enter the environment

  2️⃣ Chemicals accumulate in the food chain

  3️⃣ Humans and wildlife are exposed

  4️⃣ Disruption of the endocrine system
• What types of issues can endocrine disruptors cause in humans and wildlife?

  Developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune issues
• Endocrine disruptors can lead to reproductive problems such as infertility in humans.


  True
• In wildlife, DDT caused thin eggshells in birds
• How do endocrine disruptors affect biodiversity in ecosystems?

  Altering food webs
• Governments can ban the use of certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals as a regulatory approach.


  True
• Match the strategy for managing endocrine disruptors with its description:

  Regulatory Bans ↔️ Governments can prohibit the use of certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals

  Mandatory Testing ↔️ Require testing and labeling of products containing endocrine disruptors

  Avoiding Exposure ↔️ Consumers can choose products without known endocrine disruptors

  Proper Disposal ↔️ Safely dispose of hazardous chemicals to prevent environmental release

  Filtration & Organic ↔️ Use water filters and choose organic food to reduce exposure