Understand and act – EBI is committed with Life ChemBee

They hide in plastics, cosmetics, cleaning products, decorative objects, clothing, and even the dust in our homes. Invisible but omnipresent, their impact on human health and the environment is now recognized. But what exactly are these substances, endocrine disruptors? Why are they so problematic? And above all, how can we protect ourselves from them?

The École de Biologie Industrielle participe actuellement au projet européen Life ChemBee, qui propose de sensibiliser citoyens et salariés des collectivités aux perturbateurs endocriniens.

What is an endocrine disruptor?

An endocrine disruptor is a chemical substance, natural or artificial, capable of interfering with the normal functioning of the hormonal system, also called the endocrine system. This system regulates essential biological functions such as growth, reproduction, metabolism, brain development… Even a minimal disruption can cause lasting, sometimes irreversible effects. Endocrine disruptors disturb the hormonal functioning of living organisms and thus have harmful effects on human health and the environment.

Specifically, an endocrine disruptor can block, mimic, or modify the message sent to cells by a hormone. These disorders can occur at very low doses, and especially during sensitive periods such as pregnancy or early childhood.

Unlike acute toxicity, endocrine disruptors can act in a delayed manner. Their effects may appear long after exposure, or even be passed on to offspring. They also challenge the classic model ‘the dose makes the poison’: some effects appear at low doses but fade at higher concentrations. This specificity complicates risk assessment and regulation.

Added to this is the cocktail effect: substances that seem harmless when taken individually can become harmful when combined, even at very low doses. Simultaneous exposure to several endocrine disruptors can multiply the effects on health. According to Inserm (2017), simultaneous exposure to three or more molecules can multiply the effects on an organ by 10, or even 1,000. Yet, current regulations are still based on the analysis of one molecule at a time, which underestimates the risks related to multiple exposures. However, this logic also works in the opposite direction: by eliminating a single endocrine disruptor, the overall impact on health can be significantly reduced.

What types of molecules are involved? For what uses?

Endocrine disruptors encompass a wide variety of molecules, of natural or synthetic origin, used in many industrial fields and present in everyday consumer products. Among the most studied substance families:

• Phthalates make plastics more flexible. They are found in food packaging, toys, shower curtains, and also certain medical devices.
• Le bisphénol A (BPA), anciennement utilisé dans les biberons et les contenants alimentaires en plastique rigide, est désormais remplacé dans certains usages par d’autres bisphénols (S, F…), dont l’innocuité reste à prouver.
• Brominated flame retardants, incorporated into textiles, foams, or electronic equipment to limit fire risks.
• Parabens, preservative agents present in cosmetics and hygiene products.
• Perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), also called “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and the body, are used in non-stick coatings, waterproof textiles, and firefighting foams.
• Some pesticides, such as DDT (now banned) or chlordécone, have left lasting traces in the soil and food chains.
• Some natural molecules can also interfere with the hormonal system. Among the best known are phytoestrogens and certain mycotoxins. Phytoestrogens are naturally present in certain plants, notably lignans (flax seeds, whole grains) or isoflavones (soy, red clover). Mycotoxins, on the other hand, are toxins produced by microscopic fungi contaminating cereals, dried fruits, coffee, or spices. These compounds are not exempt from health oversight: regulatory limits control their presence in foodstuffs within the European Union.

This diversity makes their identification and regulation complex, because it is not a homogeneous group but a set of substances with very varied structures, uses, and properties. Their health impact was only studied long after they were put on the market. Today, the difficulty lies in balancing industrial utility and public health protection.

Molecules ubiquitous in everyday life

Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday objects and products: food containers, plastic films, toys, medical equipment, cosmetics, household products, treated textiles, furniture coverings, and even plant protection products. Thus, present in materials that we touch, breathe, or consume, these compounds can contaminate indoor air (via household dust or emissions from materials), infiltrate water and food (through migration or spreading), or be absorbed through the skin via applied products or handled objects. Their invisible but widespread presence makes their assessment and regulation particularly complex.

What are the effects of endocrine disruptors on health?

Endocrine disruptors can cause harmful effects on development, reproduction, the immune system, metabolism, and the nervous system. Exposure can occur at any stage of life, but it is particularly critical during sensitive periods such as pregnancy, childhood, or puberty, as the body undergoes significant hormonal changes during these times. Some endocrine disruptors are suspected of being involved in the rise of hormone-dependent cancers (breast, prostate), fertility disorders, metabolic diseases (obesity, diabetes), neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, ADHD), and thyroid conditions.
This is not about giving in to concern, but about better understanding periods of vulnerability in order to adapt preventive measures, particularly for pregnant women, young children, and adolescents. This knowledge is now incorporated into the recommendations of health authorities and public health awareness campaigns on environmental health.

What regulation?

The European Union has one of the strictest legislations in the world regarding chemical substances. The REACH regulation requires manufacturers to prove the safety of substances placed on the market. Endocrine disruptors are also subject to sectoral regulations (cosmetics, materials in contact with food, toys…). However, identifying an endocrine disruptor remains complex, and assessments can take years.

How to protect yourself? Simple actions to adopt

Even though exposure to endocrine disruptors is widespread, everyone can reduce their daily exposure. These simple habits, when adopted, can have a measurable impact on health:

• In all rooms: ventilate your home for 10 to 15 minutes a day to remove indoor air pollutants, use simple cleaning products (vinegar, baking soda…) rather than complex chemical products, dust regularly, especially textiles (sofas, curtains, carpets),
• In the kitchen: reduce the use of plastic containers, avoid heating plastics (microwave, dishwasher), and favor glass, stainless steel, or ceramic for food containers; favor fresh and organic food products to reduce exposure to pesticides,
• In the bathroom: favor solid products, choose cosmetics with a short ingredients list, without parabens, phenoxyethanol, synthetic musks,
• Prefer natural materials for clothing, furniture, toys…
• Favor second-hand clothing, and wash them before wearing when they are new to remove chemical treatments.

The EBI involved in the European Life ChemBee project

Faced with these public health challenges, the EBI is actively involved in Life ChemBee, a European project aimed at reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors in living spaces. Life ChemBee is based on a scientific, educational, and civic approach. Its ambition: to train a network of ambassadors capable of identifying sources of exposure, conducting diagnostics at home or in the office, and providing personalized recommendations. These actions help raise awareness while measuring changes in behavior before and after.

At EBI, this approach led in April 2025 to the training of 53 ambassadors (47 students and 6 staff members), thanks to the support of the Health Environment Network. Each ambassador committed to carrying out at least two assessments in their surroundings. The ambassadors identify risky products or materials, propose simple and suitable alternatives, and thus help to evolve everyday practices. This program offers them the opportunity to receive training in environmental health communication and to take concrete action. As future engineers who will work in the bioindustries, EBI students have a key role to play in becoming agents of change within the industrial sectors.

A pedagogical and societal commitment

Better understanding endocrine disruptors is already better protection against them. This project illustrates EBI’s desire to train engineers capable of anticipating tomorrow’s challenges, to reconcile innovation, ethics, and sustainable development. By participating in Life ChemBee, EBI strengthens its mission of spreading scientific knowledge in the service of health and the common good.