All Flashcards
What are endocrine disruptors?
Chemicals that interfere with the body's endocrine system (hormones).
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate bodily functions.
What are glands?
Ductless organs that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
What is BPA?
Bisphenol A, a chemical found in plastics and food containers.
What are PCBs?
Polychlorinated Biphenyls, chemicals formerly used in electrical equipment.
What are PBDEs?
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, flame retardants in household products.
What are PFAS?
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, found in firefighting foams and non-stick pans.
What are Phthalates?
Chemicals in flexible plastics, food packaging, and cosmetics.
What is Perchlorate?
Byproduct of pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and weaponry; found in drinking water.
What are Dioxins?
Byproduct of herbicide production, paper bleaching, and waste burning.
Why are endocrine disruptors a concern?
They can disrupt the delicate balance of the endocrine system, leading to various health and environmental problems.
How do endocrine disruptors affect wildlife?
They can cause unusual growth, reproductive issues, birth defects, and gender imbalances in wildlife.
How do endocrine disruptors affect humans?
They can increase the risk of certain diseases, reproductive problems, and developmental issues in humans.
What makes studying endocrine disruption challenging?
Organisms are often exposed to multiple disruptors at once, making it hard to pinpoint the exact cause of effects.
Why are even small amounts of endocrine disruptors a concern?
Even small amounts can have significant effects due to the sensitivity of the endocrine system.
Where are common sources of endocrine disruptors?
Plastics, pesticides, personal care products, and food packaging.
What is the role of the endocrine system?
Regulates various bodily functions through the release of hormones.
What are some key hormones?
ACTH, Thyroid hormones, ADH, Insulin, Epinephrine, Testosterone, and Estrogen.
What are the effects of endocrine disruptors on the male reproductive system?
Increased genetic deformities and lowering of sperm count.
What are the effects of endocrine disruptors on hormone-linked cancers?
Higher occurrence of breast and prostate cancer.
What is the effect of endocrine disruptors on bird eggs?
Egg thinning, weakening the eggshells.
What is the effect of endocrine disruptors on mollusks?
Imposex in females, where they develop male characteristics.
What is the effect of sewage outflow on fish?
Feminization of male fish, causing them to develop female traits.
What is the effect of BPA exposure?
Potential health problems due to its presence in plastics and food containers.
What is the effect of Perchlorate exposure?
Interference with the thyroid gland's uptake of iodine.
What is the effect of industrial runoff on the ecosystem?
Contamination of water sources with endocrine disruptors like perchlorate.
What is the effect of pesticide use containing endocrine disruptors?
Accumulation in the tissues of organisms and biomagnification in the food chain.
What is the effect of flame retardants in household products?
Exposure to PBDEs, which are endocrine disruptors.
What is the effect of using antimicrobial products?
Exposure to Triclosan, which is an endocrine disruptor.
What is the effect of waste burning?
Release of dioxins, which are endocrine disruptors.