Endocrine disruptors or hormone disruptors are chemicals that disrupt the functions of natural hormones and therefore affect human reproduction . Now, a new study from the University of Denmark and the European Center for Advanced Studies and Research in Germany have concluded that certain household chemicals, such as personal hygiene products, can affect fertility.
Throughout their study, the researchers tested about 1,000 different chemicals in a bioassay that yielded significant results in linking these products to widespread fertility problems . So much so, that the study has shown scientific evidence that products as widely used as toothpaste, sun creams or plastic bottles, contain these substances that act as hormonal disruptors.
The way in which these substances act on fertility is as follows: these chemicals affect the function of human spermatozoa, disrupting the mechanisms underlying fertilization, causing changes in swimming behavior, making it difficult to navigate. sperm and therefore interferes with the penetration of the protective layer of the ovum.
Among the substances considered toxic they found Camphor 4-methylbenzylidene (4 – MBC), used in some sun creams, and Triclosan , an antibacterial agent used in toothpaste.
” For the first time we have demonstrated a direct relationship between exposure to endocrine disruptors from industrial products and adverse effects on human sperm function ,” says Niels E. Skakkebaek, leader of the study whose results have been published in the journal EMBO reports. .
