Questions and answers on endocrine disruptors
BfR FAQ of 17 March 2022
Consumers are routinely exposed to a plethora of substances, some of which may have undesirable effects on our health. This includes substances that disrupt the body's hormonal system (endocrine system), hence triggering detrimental health effects. These are referred to as endocrine disruptors or endocrine-disrupting substances.
Endocrine active substances may be encountered in all areas of daily life, both from natural and synthetic sources. Some of them are considered to be harmful to health hence called endocrine disruptors. The substances are regulated based on their potentially harmful activity, for example by imposing restrictions or bans on their use.
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has put together an FAQ concerning endocrine disruptors.