Endocrine Disruptors as Emerging Contaminants and Education to Reduce Health Risks

Abstract

Objective: Aim of the present review is to present significance of health risks incurred by emerging contaminants, and more specifically the endocrine disruptors for continued education of health professionals, and the general public. Materials and Methods: The review included general state-of-the-art of EDC research, international regulations and studies in the open literature concerning training and education of public and health sector workers. Results: Emerging contaminants where the EDCs belong are a wide range of materials with several generation health impacts both to humans and the environment. There is an increasing need for mothers’, pregnant women’s and all parts of society to mitigate EDC exposure for a healthy population. Regulatory measure at national, regional and international levels will ensure exposure reduction, while increasing awareness in the population. Continued evidence-based education programmes designed for needs of health professionals will close knowledge and awareness gaps. Conclusions: With climate crisis affecting every population at the global level, world-wide action and coordination is necessary to manage, reduce exposure and adverse health effects of endocrine disruptors.