12 Worst Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals & Their Health Effects

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By Rachael Rettner
published

Organophosphate pesticides

Fruits and vegetables.

(Image credit: Fruits & vegetables photo via Shutterstock)

Exposure to these pesticide chemicals has been linked to effects on brain development, behavior and fertility, and can affect testosterone levels, EWG says. Buying organic produce may reduce exposure to these chemicals, EWG says.

Glycol ethers

Bottles of cleaning products

(Image credit: Cleaning products photo via Shutterstock)

These chemicals are used as solvents in paints and cleaning products and have been linked to lower sperm count in painters, among other health problems, EWG says. Exposure to these chemicals has also been linked to asthma and allergies in children. Avoiding products with the ingredients 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME) may help reduce exposure to glycol ethers, EWG says.

Rachael Rettner
Rachael Rettner
Contributor

Rachael is a Live Science contributor, and was a former channel editor and senior writer for Live Science between 2010 and 2022. She has a master's degree in journalism from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. She also holds a B.S. in molecular biology and an M.S. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. Her work has appeared in Scienceline, The Washington Post and Scientific American.