Endocrine disrupting chemicals in cosmetics could be harmful to humans: Study

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned that cosmetics and medicines which contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) could be harmful to humans.

According to the agency, the chemiclas may be a contributing factor behind the significant increases in cancers, diabetes and obesity, falling fertility and an increased number of neurological development problems in both humans and animals, reports .telegraph.co.uk.

The agency has warned that five classes of chemicals needed to be obseved more.

Prominent among them are phthalates commonly found in pesticides bisphenol A and other PCBs, which are used to manufacture plastics parabens and are found in sunscreen and chemicals used in contraceptive pills.

EEA executive director Jacqueline McGlade said that the scientific research gathered over the last few decades shows that endocrine disruption is a real problem, with serious effects on wildlife, and possibly people.

"It would be prudent to take a precautionary approach to many of these chemicals until their effects are more fully understood," McGlade said.

According to the report, it was found that exposure to mixture of some chemicals could damage the hormone system and cause endocrinal diseases.

Bodily functions such as the reproductive system, metabolism, growth and a person’s mood are said to be controlled by hormones, whose source is the human and animal endocrine system, that control.