Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are perilous, and must be weeded out before they impact the next generation. The Government must set up a task force to figure out how to phase out the EDCs currently in use
In a welcome development, the European Commission (EC) on June 15, came out with a draft policy on scientific criteria for the identification of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). EDCs and potential EDCs are mostly man-made, found in various materials such as pesticides, metals, additives or contaminants in food, and personal care products.
EDCs have been suspected to be associated with altered reproductive function in males and females; increased incidence of breast cancer, abnormal growth patterns and neuro developmental delays in children, as well as changes in immune function.
The policy is based on the definition of EDCs as stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Programme for Chemical Safety.
The two organisations define an EDC as “an exogenous substance or mixture that alters functions of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny”.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of the EC began its drive against EDCs in 2011 when it published a scientific report, ‘State of the Art Assessment of Endocrine Disruptors’, which provided an overview of the existing knowledge on endocrine active substances and of the challenges for risk assessment in relation to food and feed, as well as a summary of current initiatives at national, EU and international levels.
By establishing the scientific criteria, the EC has set a high level of protection for human health and environment especially in the EU and has received much appreciation from member nations such as France and Sweden.
The EFSA initiative is expected to have an impact on a wide range of stakeholders. These will include the general population, in terms of the protection of human health from potentially harmful substances and economic operators such as the chemical, electronic, consumer products, packaging, food and medical devices industries, including small and medium-sized enterprises and farmers.
In spite of the possible repercussions for businesses and industry, the EFSA is expediting the policy towards rapid execution in the best interests of public health and environmental protection.
However in India, the situation is dismal as EDCs have not found adequate mention at the policy-level and this translates to a lack of enforceable set of regulations on EDCs.
Due to the absence of clear rules, exposure to EDCs in India is growing and in the process, it is causing interference with the body’s hormonal system and seriously impacting normal human growth. Recent studies have proven the role played by EDCs in health disorders such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism.
Bisphenol A (BPA), for instance, is a known endocrine disruptor and is used to manufacture plastics products in India that are used by babies and children. Besides disrupting the functioning of hormones in babies, BPA negatively impacts the behavioral and emotional aspects of girls up to three years of age group.
Among boys, it leads to depression and anxiety, while general epidemiological studies have found that it leads to heart diseases, liver toxicity and diabetes. BPA is also linked to development of early puberty in girl child.
Apart from adversely affecting human health, EDCs have the potential to irreversibly harm the wildlife as well by altering the body function and impacting the immune system. Given this situation, the Government must get its act together and form an effective strategy to tackle the problem.
In order to ensure efficacy of the policy and its implementation the Government must not bend under the pressure of the business community whose interests may be compromised due to regulations on EDCs.
The Government must set up a task force panel with a mandate to phase out the dangerous EDCs currently in use. The panel must also focus on developing healthier substitutes that are also eco-friendly. Countries across the globe especially the US and EU have made commendable progress in regulating and reducing the use of EDCs in daily life.
This has been made possible due to the exhaustive and comprehensive policies framed by the respective Governments. The control on EDCs and their gradual eradication is only possible with a strategy that comprises of comprehensive policy, effective implementation assisted by continuous research and development.
The success of this strategy can enable India to match the global benchmarks in eliminating the use of EDCs. EDCs are a peril that need to be weeded out before they impact the next whole generation of India besides ruining the ecological balance.