Environmental Endocrine Disruptors (a Review) : Chemicals that mimic or antagonize the effects of endogenous hormones have serious effects

Considerable scientific evidences indicate that a multitude of environmental contaminants can modulate or mimic the actions of steroid hormones and in some cases produce biological responses qualitatively similar to those produced by endogenous hormones.These chemicals alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system by mimicking, blocking, modifying hormonal metabolism or interfering with the biological hormone synthesis. Reports suggest a concrete link between exposure to these endocrine active chemicals and increasing rates of hormone dependent cancers (breast and prostate), developmental effects in the male reproductive tract, falling sperm counts, and endometriosis.