National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists recently gathered with researchers, clinicians, and community members to discuss emerging research focused on interventions — simple, accessible, and safe steps people can take — to mitigate exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals interfere with hormones produced by the endocrine system, which controls metabolism, heart rate, growth, reproduction, and other biological processes.
Carmen Messerlian, Ph.D., Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and an NIEHS grantee, shared a few concrete and sustainable steps people can take today to reduce their exposure to EDCs.
- Mop floors to reduce dust, chemicals picked up in the dust.
- Reduce screen time.
- Reduce the number of personal care products you put on your body (e.g., go from 10 to seven.)
- Reduce the number of times you eat takeout per week.
- Invest in a water filtration system, whether low-cost, over-the-counter water filters, or a reverse osmosis system.
Moving the needle down to create a new habit is the key, says Messerlian.
“What couples do today in the preconception window of vulnerability [to decrease exposures and enhance health and nutrition] affects their grandchild’s health and lifespan and helps us achieve generational health,” she said.