Endocrine disruptors are any chemicals that can interfere with the endocrine (hormone) system of the body. These disruptors are known carcinogens and have been linked to infertility, birth defects and other developmental disorders.
Endocrine disruptors are commonly found in cosmetics, cleaning products, food, pharmaceuticals, plastics, pesticides, and personal care products. These chemicals can mimic hormones and change the function of the endocrine system within the human body. Our hormonal system is critical to our health and any changes can cause adverse reactions such as disrupted immune function, reduced bone health, obesity, altered testicular function, altered onset of puberty, disrupted cardiac function, and infertility.
We list some of the most common hormone altering chemicals below and where they are found:
Phthalates; are present within a number of commercial cosmetics and cleaning products, often hidden within the labelling loophole of 'fragrance' or 'perfume'. Phthalate exposure causes harm to the male reproductive system and is also thought to be associated with diabetes and insulin resistance, breast cancer and obesity.
Triclosan; is used in personal care products and is linked to allergies, asthma, and central nervous system disfunction. There is also evidence for alterations in thyroid hormone homeostasis as discovered by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Parabens; are often found in deodorant and cosmetics and can mimic the effect of estrogen - spurring the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells.
BPA (bisphenol A); is largely present in the soil due to land fill of plastics and food packaging. BPA can build up in the body and has been associated with diabetes, reproductive organ dysfunction, infertility, altered immunity and cardiovascular disease.
Flame Retardants; can be found in products such as plastic and paint. Common examples include Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) both of which disrupt thyroid balance.
Pesticides; organophosphate pesticides are a long list of chemicals that target the nervous system of insects. These pesticides can interfere with the way testosterone communicates with cells, lowering testosterone and altering thyroid hormone levels.
You can view the full list of known endocrine disruptors as released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in 2013 here.
Bondi Wash contains only the finest natural ingredients and does not contain any synthetic colours, synthetic fragrance, phthalates, triclosan, or parabens. You can read more about our natural ingredients here.
