What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block or interfere with the body’s hormones, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which says they are associated with a wide array of health issues.

NIEHS cites the Endocrine Society’s estimate that of nearly 85,000 human-made chemicals, 1,000 or more could be endocrine disruptors. Among the most common and well studied, it lists atrazine, bisphenol A, dioxins, perchlorate, PFAS, phthalates, phytoestrogens, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls and triclosan. It says people may be exposed through food and drink, pesticides and cosmetics, and through diet, air, skin and water.

How much they affect people is less settled. The EPA says there is clear evidence some chemicals cause endocrine effects in wildlife, but limited evidence that chemicals cause these effects in humans at environmental exposure levels, and that very few chemicals have been tested for their potential to interfere with the endocrine system.

Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.

The sources behind this answer

  • Government sourceNIEHS says endocrine-disrupting chemicals are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block or interfere with the body’s hormones, and that they are associated with a wide array of health issues. NIEHS, National Institutes of Health ↗
  • Government sourceNIEHS says people may be exposed to endocrine disruptors through food and beverages, pesticides and cosmetics, with contact through diet, air, skin and water. NIEHS, National Institutes of Health ↗
  • Government sourceNIEHS cites the Endocrine Society as saying that of nearly 85,000 human-made chemicals, 1,000 or more could be endocrine disruptors, and lists BPA, PFAS, phthalates and triclosan among the most common and well studied. NIEHS, National Institutes of Health ↗
  • Government sourceNIEHS includes PFAS among common endocrine disruptors, describing them as a large group of chemicals used in firefighting foam, nonstick pans, paper and textile coatings. NIEHS, National Institutes of Health ↗
  • Government sourceNIEHS names nail polish, hair spray, aftershave lotion, cleanser and shampoo as cosmetics that may contain phthalates. NIEHS, National Institutes of Health ↗
  • Government sourceThe EPA says there is clear evidence some chemicals cause endocrine effects in wildlife but limited evidence of these effects in humans at environmental exposure levels, and that very few chemicals have been tested for them. US EPA ↗

Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.

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