Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs): A General Overview
Blog author: Raven Lipford, Research Analyst and project lead on ECSI (Early Childhood Safety Initiative).
About The Institute’s ECSI Initiative
The Institute of Family and Community Impact an OhioGuidestone initiative envisions a society full of resilient children with limited adverse childhood experiences and increased benevolent experiences. One of the ways we achieve this in partnership with Ohio Children’s Trust Fund is through our Early Childhood Safety Initiative (ECSI). An initiative committed to increasing early childhood safety by providing parents and caregivers with the tools they need. Benevolent childhood experiences are built by positive adult connections. These connections are strengthened when parents have what they need to thrive. One of the ways the Early Childhood Safety Initiative allows us to help families is by addressing neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals in products marketed toward Kinky Curly Kids.
What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that can interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system in animals and humans. The endocrine system is responsible for regulating hormones in the body. Hormones affect many important bodily functions such as growth, reproduction, and metabolism. Endocrine disrupting chemicals can mimic or block hormones. Hormones blocked by EDCs may cause a variety of health problems such as reproductive disorders, developmental abnormalities, and cancer.
EDCs are found in many common household items such as plastics, pesticides, and personal care products such as products for kids with kinky and curly hair. Educating ourselves about endocrine disrupting chemicals (like you are right now!) is the first step to reducing our exposure. You can practice protection from EDCs by avoiding or reducing use of products with toxic hair chemicals.
We included our Kinky Curly Kids toxic hair chemicals infographic below for you to save and share!
Watch a quick YouTube video exploring endocrine disrupting chemicals in less than three minutes by clicking here!
6 toxic hair chemicals commonly found in products marketed toward kinky curly kids!
