An endocrine disruptor is an external substance or mixture that can interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system and consequently cause an adverse effect in an intact organism or its offspring.
The endocrine system uses hormones to regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, and stress responses. Substances with endocrine-disrupting activity may interfere with hormone production, transport, metabolism, signaling, or receptor interactions.
Not every substance that interacts with a hormone pathway necessarily meets the scientific or regulatory definition of an endocrine disruptor. Determining whether a substance qualifies requires evidence concerning endocrine activity, biological effects, and the relationship between the two.
QUICK FACT
A substance showing endocrine activity is not automatically proven to cause disease at typical human exposure levels.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Hormone: a naturally produced signaling molecule involved in regulating body functions.
- Endocrine-active substance: a substance that can interact with endocrine pathways; this does not automatically establish that it is an endocrine disruptor.
SEE ALSO