Research on endocrine disruptors and hormone-mimicking substances
What it's about
The hormonal system is influenced by numerous internal and external factors. Many natural and synthetic substances can affect it when they enter the body.
Background
Some substances, when they enter the body in an effective dose, can damage health by altering the hormone system. Such substances are called endocrine disruptors. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research to support the assessment of health risks from substances that are hormone-like and may potentially act as endocrine disruptors.
According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), an endocrine disruptor is a substance or mixture of substances that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and thereby causes adverse health effects on an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations.