Endocrine Disruptors: Are They a Ticking Time Bomb?

Over the course of the 20th century, the chemical industry developed more than 100,000 molecules1. Today, 40,000 to 60,000 manufactured chemical products are sold throughout the world2. Many among them are known or suspected to be endocrine disruptors.

While endocrine disruptors have been all over the media in recent years, they are also in our everyday life. They can be found in our food, our clothes, our furniture, even in the water we drink and the air that we breathe. But what are they exactly? Why are they so bad, and what solutions are there to avoid them?

Researcher and biologist Jean-Baptiste Fini, endocrine disruptor specialist, is here to help us get to the bottom of it.

What are endocrine disruptors?

According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition, an endocrine disruptor is “an exogenous substance or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub) populations”³.

To understand how endocrine disruptors work, we first need to understand how hormones function. In a normal situation, our body secretes hormones which work as chemical messengers. The hormones allow our organs to communicate with each other in order to produce different reactions. Our brain acts as the conductor for the fifty or so hormones that we create.

These hormones support organ development and control long term processes of growth, reproduction, and development. They are also key players in our physiology because they regulate our appetite, temperature, sleep, and even our mood.

The problem with endocrine disruptors is that they interfere with our natural hormonal functions. They will do so in three ways :

  • They can change our natural hormone production by interfering with their mechanisms for synthesis, transport, biodegradation, or elimination.
  • They can mimic the actions of our natural hormones by taking their place, which causes problems when those specific hormonal functions are unnecessary.
  • They can block hormone function by taking their place on receptors.

Through these different interferences, the endocrine disruptors also impact essential body functions like metabolism, reproductive health, and even nervous system functions. This leads to consequences that we will examine later in this article.

Where are they?

Endocrine disruptors tend to hide in plain sight, and we are exposed to them all the time in our daily environments.

Food & water

  • The presence of certain pesticides in our foods, especially in fruits and vegetables, contributes heavily to our exposure to endocrine disruptors. Out of the 90 pesticides that the European Food Safety Authority has reassessed since 2018, 10 were identified as endocrine disruptors.
  • Certain food additives like BHA (E320) or BHT (E321) are among those suspected to have endocrine disrupting effects4-7.
  • Tap water can also contain endocrine disruptors because of its contamination by pesticides or pharmaceutical products (specifically contraceptives).

Food packaging & kitchen utensils

  • Endocrine disruptors are in certain plastic wraps and containers. Phthalates, for example, can migrate into food, especially when heated8.
  • Certain paper and cardboard packaging can contain perfluorinated compounds (for example, pizza boxes or microwavable popcorn packets) which work as endocrine disruptors. This packaging can produce mineral oils from its ink and adhesives which can affect endocrine disruption. These can migrate into food9,10.
  • Non-stick cooking tools can also contain harmful substances, notably perfluorinated compounds (PFOA, PFOS) which act as endocrine disruptors.

Medicines

  • Certain drugs can have effects on endocrines11.
  • By definition contraceptives, such as “the pill”, are endocrine disruptors because of how they alter hormone function by preventing ovulation.
  • Drugs are designed to help take care of our bodies. The issue at hand is less about evaluating health benefits or risks, and more about their potential environmental impact (see below).

Cleaning & hygiene products

  • Many cleaning products contain substances that are recognized or suspected endocrine disruptors. Examples include preservatives or texturing agents (triclosan, phthalates, or certain parabens).
  • Similarly, these substances appear in beauty and hygiene products (deodorants, shampoos, makeup, toothpastes, etc.).

Home & furniture

  • Quite a few household products and furniture contribute to indoor air pollution, mostly because they contain brominated flame retardants – substances which are designed to reduce flammability – some of which have been identified as endocrine disruptors.
  • Fabric products (drapes, carpet, bedding, etc.) contain these flame retardant or stain resistant substances (perfluorinated compounds), some of which are potential endocrine disruptors.
  • Furniture can emit different problematic substances, like formaldehyde. Notably furniture made from particleboard which contains an endocrine disrupting glue.
  • Paint can also contain potential endocrine disruptors.

In 2019, a study by the French Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France) revealed that proven or suspected endocrine disruptors were present in the bodies of all French people, with higher rates among children. Amongst the French population, 6 families of disruptors were found: bisphenols, parabens, glycol ethers, brominated flame retardants, and perfluorinated compounds. According to the French Public Health Agency, the degree of impact measured was comparable to those of other studies conducted in the United States and Canada12.

What are the effects?

The proven or suspected effects of endocrine disruptors are numerous, impacting both human and environmental health.

Human health impact

A 2021 study conducted by the French Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France) identified more than fifty health effects which were attributed to endocrine disruptors17. According to current data, the main endocrine disrupting effects are the following:

1. Reproductive effects

Endocrine disruptors affect reproductive function on multiple levels. They can alter an individual’s reproductive development from birth: an early exposure can also lead to a predisposition for disruptions of puberty and/or of fertility18.

More particularly, endocrine disruptors can impact male and female reproduction by preventing spermatogenesis (spermatozoa formation) and oogenesis (ovum development), leading to reduced fertility19,20,23.

Exposure to endocrine disruptors could also be implicated in the appearance of testicular and ovarian malformations, the development of endometriosis, and even the occurrence of polycystic ovarian syndrome21-25.

Lastly, it is suspected that precocious puberty might be correlated with an exposure to endocrine disruptors. Girls are 10 times more likely to be affected than boys are26.

2. Obesity and diabetes

Exposure to endocrine disruptors could contribute to the increase of obesity and diabetes. Excessive eating and a lack of activity do not seem to sufficiently explain the obesity and diabetes epidemics taking place in industrialized countries.

By altering the functions of certain hormones, endocrine disruptors could interfere with the mechanisms which regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat, of hunger and fullness27,28. More particularly, these endocrine disruptors can operate during fetal development, deregulating an individual’s energy levels (balance between energy input and out) and predisposing them to obesity29-32.

By interfering with insulin regulation and secretion, endocrine disruptors can lead to insulin resistance. This is a key player in the development of type 2 diabetes33.

3. Developmental disorders

Endocrine disruptors can affect various pediatric development disorders: hyperactivity, attachment disorders, emotional disorders, anxiety symptoms, aggressive behavior34-36.

Furthermore, by interfering with thyroid hormone function, which is crucial for brain development, endocrine disruptors could lower one’s IQ and cognitive abilities37-41.

4. Cancer

Certain endocrine disruptors could increase the occurrence of hormone-dependent cancers: blood, ovary, prostate, testicular, and thyroid cancers. Exposure in the womb or during childhood could be a risk factor for cancer in adulthood.42-48.

Periods of heightened vulnerability

We are more vulnerable to endocrine disruptors when our tissues and organs are developing and when our bodies are experiencing major hormone shifts.

These periods are during fetal development (mother and fetus are vulnerable), early childhood, and puberty. The first 1,000 days of life, from conception to 2 years old, is a particularly critical period which influences an individual’s future health. We must be particularly aware of our exposure to these substances during such time periods.

Environmental impact

Given their widespread presence in our daily lives, endocrine disruptors also leak into the environment and affect all living organisms. Pesticides will likewise contaminate soil and rivers, and our cleaning products end up in water treatment facilities where the disruptors will be poorly filtered (because they are not listed as products to eliminate) before the water is released into a natural environment.

Endocrine disruptors can impact all living things because all such organisms have hormones. Furthermore, hormones are exactly the same across all vertebrates. Their functions may vary, but their structures are identical. For a young developing human, thyroid hormones allow brain maturation. In adult humans, these hormones regulate our mood and body heat. These hormones play an even more spectacular role among amphibians by controlling the metamorphosis of a tadpole into a frog. This is why if an antithyroid medication ended up in a pond, it could prevent the growth of a frog.

Numerous studies demonstrate that different animal anomalies can be attributed to the harmful effects of certain endocrine disruptors. These effects have been observed among populations of fish, reptiles, invertebrates, and birds. There are too many examples of pollution’s physiological impact for us to be able to tackle them here. So, we will focus on the examples of the pesticide known as DDT and the phthalate known as DEHP.

DDT is a persistent insecticide used widely after World War II. In the areas where it has been spread, significant toxic effects were observed amidst aquatic and terrestrial populations. As such, different studies have revealed a link between DDT use and the thinning of bird shells. This has led to premature egg hatching and therefore increased mortality rates49-52. Reproductive issues were also observed in male alligators in a Florida lake during the 1980s which led to a significant decline in the population of these alligators. This decline was attributed to the large quantity of DDT spread over dozens of years which led to anomalies in the alligators’ reproductive organs53. DDT has since been banned in many countries, but its use for sanitary reasons (to fight against malaria) continues to be allowed in certain cases54.

The second example concerns the phthalate DEHP. This is a compound that the European Union classified as a substance of very high concern in 2017. DEHP (or rather its metabolite MEHP) is detectable among almost all terrestrial and marine vertebrates55,56. Even in low doses, it can have unexpected effects. Studies reveal that fetal mice, when exposed to these phthalates, can develop altered sexual behavior as adult mice and can develop brain tissue that is more vulnerable to pollutants57.

These are not the only two examples. Scientists have observed that many other environmental effects are attributable to endocrine disruptors.

Endocrine disruptors are currently poorly regulated

To date, there is not a single official list of endocrine disruptors. In April 2021, the French Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) published a list of 900 concerned substances and a prioritization strategy in order to accelerate the identification of endocrine disruptors.

It is still not required to test products (food additives, cosmetics, drugs, toys, packagins, etc.) for their endocrine effects before putting them on the market: neither the product nor its components are subject to such evaluation.

Since 2018, within the European Union, only pesticides and biocides have been required to undergo endocrine evaluation before being sold publicly. Currently, commercially available pesticides and biocides must be subject of a retroactive assessment – which could lead to restrictions or a complete ban – but this process unfortunately takes time. For other product groups, a guide is expected in 2022.

According to the European Union regulatory initiative REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals), which began in 2007, substances with endocrine disrupting properties can be identified as “substances of very high concern” but this will not directly lead to a ban on their usage. These files are submitted by Member States: every Member State then votes on the future of the product in question. In 2021 for example, despite evidence about the thyroid impact of resorcinol (an ingredient found mainly in cosmetics), the Member States did not vote to ban it.

The current underregulation of endocrine disruptors demonstrates that it is essential that it evolves in order to protect future consumers.

Effects even at low doses

Certain endocrine disruptors contradict a longstanding adage in toxicology – that “the dose makes the poison.” Multiple studies have demonstrated that these substances can produce negative side effects even in very small doses.

These studies even reveal that low quantities of such substances can produce more effects than high quantities can. For certain substances, we can go so far as to observe an effect at a low dosage and no effects at a high dosage58,59.

For example, Sarah Jenkins’s work on Bisphenol A uses a transgenic mouse model and demonstrates that BPA impacts tumor size. Her study observed that BPA affects tumor development among rodents at very low doses (below the recommended daily intake). Then, it is at intermediate doses that they observed the strongest effects on tumor size, with impact diminishing at very high doses60.

In a similar way, one phthalate study found that these substances can have an effect on mouse behavior when present at low doses but not at high doses61.

The same effect was observed for perfluorinated compounds – like PFOS – currently used in numerous products like waterproof fabrics, nonstick coatings, or certain food packaging. One study conducted on tadpoles revealed that PFOS disrupts healthy thyroid function at intermediate doses but not at high or low doses38.

A concerning combination effect

Another significant issue presented by endocrine disruptors: they can potentially become more toxic when mixed together. In other words, several substances below the regulatory thresholds (considered to be protective) could lead to an endocrine disruptive effect. This is what we call this a “combination effect”62-64. This effect calls into question the current risk assessment procedure which is based on individual molecule evaluation. This does not seem to fully consider the fact that we are usually exposed to a mixture of chemicals.

An international study published in 2022 demonstrates that exposure to a mixture of chemicals (phthalates, phenols, and perfluorinated compounds) has endocrine disruptive effects and that overexposure during pregnancy impacts child brain function, leading to language delay65.

This combination effect considerably complicates the study of endocrine disruptors: to study this effect, it is necessary to test every possible combination with thousands of possible mixes of chemicals suspected of having endocrine effects.

How can we avoid them?

These days, it is difficult to avoid endocrine disruptors because they have become so common in our environment. However, it is possible to reduce our exposure as much as possible while we wait for the implementation of regulations that appropriately ban these substances.

Food & water

  • Avoid consuming too many foods that have been in contact with plastic packaging
  • Use inert materials (glass, stainless steel, ceramic) for preparation and storage of food
  • Do not reheat food in plastic containers
  • Opt to buy organically grown products
  • Reduce consumption of processed foods that can contain problematic additives
  • Avoid non-stick utensils (pans especially) and throw away non-stick pots as soon as the coating is damaged
  • Use iodized salt to avoid iron deficiencies. Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.

Cleaning & hygiene

  • Reduce usage of unnecessary cleaning products and opt for natural products like white vinegar, baking soda, and Marseille soap
  • Avoid cosmetic products with preservatives like paraben
  • Opt for organic cosmetics which restrict the use of many problematic substances
  • Use organic or washable diapers for babies (cotton diapers can contain residues of problematic pesticides)
  • In the same way, opt for hygienic products (pads, tampons) made from organic cotton

Home & furniture

  • Aerate the inside of your home for 15 minutes everyday and regularly vacuum: indoor pollution is a significant source of endocrine disruptor exposure
  • Avoid using aerosols (deodorants, waterproofers, disinfectants), candles or incense that can contribute to air pollution
  • Avoid carpet and vinyl flooring
  • Clean new fabrics (bedding, cushions, rugs, drapes…) before using or opt for second hand textiles
  • Opt for furniture made from untreated natural materials and avoid furniture made of PVC or plywood which contains glues and plastics which can release harmful chemicals into your home
  • Opt for second hand furniture
  • Prepare a newborn’s bedroom as much as possible multiple weeks before the birth, by aerating it every day
  • Shut off your computer and mobile phone at night (or at least put it to sleep / on airplane mode), because their hard drives contain flame retardants which release harmful products during operation

Clothing

  • Wash new clothes before wearing them
  • Do not wear clothing made with synthetic materials outside of athletic activities

Kids’ toys

  • Clean new toys in soap and water before giving them to a child
  • Opt for kid toys that are made of wood and organic fabric
  • Limit the number of toys made of plastic or treated wood, especially if kids put them in their mouths
  • Opt for second hand toys (that have been recently produced)

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  • ⁶⁴ Delfosse V, Dendele B, Huet T, Grimaldi M, Boulahtouf A, Gerbal-Chaloin S, Beucher B, Roecklin D, Muller C, Rahmani R, Cavaillès V, Daujat-Chavanieu M, Vivat V, Pascussi JM, Balaguer P, Bourguet W. Synergistic activation of human pregnane X receptor by binary cocktails of pharmaceutical and environmental compounds. Nat Commun. 2015 Sep 3;6:8089.
  • ⁶⁵ Caporale N et al. From cohorts to molecules: Adverse impacts of endocrine disrupting mixtures. Science. 2022 Feb 18;375(6582):eabe8244.

Co-Author

Jean-Baptiste Fini

Professor and biologist specializing in endocrine disruptors within the Molecular Physiology and Adaptation Lab at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris.

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194 comments

  1. Michelle Lalonde

    We support brands that deliver non toxic products !
    Her Holistic Store
    Find us on Instagram

    Reply
  2. Janice Tausig

    Very interesting thank you for sending this out.

    Reply
  3. Camilla

    Great article, thank you .

    Reply
  4. Babs

    Thank you so much. Your work is so needed. Much appreciated.

    Reply
  5. Beverley

    Brilliant article ..Everyone needs to know this .. It’s time this information was more widely spread ..

    Reply
  6. Leigh

    Thanks.

    I will start with changing to iodized salt and natural cleaning products. Then the non stick frypans will go along with all the plastic containers.

    Slowing transitioning as guided by you. 😊

    Reply
  7. Christine

    Thank you for all the useful information, we don’t realise our common everyday things we do have such a impact on our health. This will make me think twice about using scented candles.

    Reply
  8. Imma

    Thank you for the article. It is an eye opener and such a valuable information!

    Reply
  9. Dingy

    Great article, thank you. Very insightful.

    Reply
  10. Sally

    Thank you, especially for the tips.

    Reply
  11. Wayne Goguel (Nutrisnapper)

    Very interesting article. Being Plant Based I use Iodized Salt (table salt ) as opposed to Sea salt . Sea Salt doesn’t have iodine so your levels could be low and you could maybe experience thyroid problems at a later date.

    Reply
  12. TK

    Very informative & a little frightening 😳

    1
    Reply
  13. Kingsley

    Very educative and eye-opening.
    Thank you so much.

    Reply
  14. Andrée

    Very informative article. Thank you

    Reply
  15. Ingrid

    Beauty products/Cosmetics need a category of their own as these ones impact a lot of other people, are applied directly to the body and create exposures beyond the home environment.

    Reply
  16. Simon

    Re, Safe Cooking Pans, Great work Yuka!
    Solidteknics is Aus. made cookware, great quality,, good to ditch the Coated pans etc..

    1
    Reply
  17. Mira

    Many thanks very useful info

    Reply
  18. Jacqueline

    Very interesting information and a lot to think about

    Reply
  19. Fil

    Love this app use it all the time

    Reply
  20. Bonnie

    Very informative and important information.
    Thank you

    Reply
  21. Sheryl

    Thank you for this informative article. My niece sadly passed away last year from neuroendocrine cancer and as a family we make good use of your app, trying to avoid items containing endocrine disrupters. It’s good to learn there are ways to reduce our exposure. We have gone natural on cleaning and washing products and have thrown away our plastic containers, opting for glass instead. Keep up the good work Yuka.

    3
    Reply
  22. Kewarrabeachpharmacy

    Thank you for a very clear and comprehensive report. All of your references are evidence based and objective. The vast majority of the general public are completely unaware of what is added to what they use and consume. Companies can hide a multitude of cancer causing chemicals under trademark or “parfum”. It’s disgraceful.

    2
    Reply
  23. Jules

    Thank you for opening our eyes to a whole world of products in our every day lives that are impacting our health, I question why a large proportion of the younger population around me are relying on IVF

    3
    Reply
  24. Cass

    Thank you for this very informative article and most importantly your app. I recommend it to people at the supermarket, friends anyone who shows an interest in what I am scanning and why. 🙏🙏👏👏🇦🇺

    2
    Reply
  25. Margaret

    Thank you for this enlightening article. Also, for the great app – I have recommended it to many people.

    2
    Reply
  26. Ana

    Thank you so much Yuka. Very educational for all of us. I share with others information about Yuka app, and I’m hoping government will do something about to ban these chemicals soon.
    For our sake and future generations to come.

    1
    Reply
  27. Alias

    Yikes! 😳 .. (geddit?)
    Q: Are there any things that block, break down or eliminate endocrine disrupters once they are in the body? Certain foods, substances, activities or behaviours for example?

    18
    Reply
  28. Jodie

    Thank you for keeping us informed. Such great information we all need to know about.

    2
    Reply
  29. Jax

    So basically we’re all f—ed. Great. 🙁

    5
    Reply
  30. Elizabeth

    Amazing information, hopefully the government. takes steps to ban these chemicals soon.

    1
    Reply
    1. Deb

      Elizabeth the government hate us. I can assure you that no steps will be taken any time soon to ban these chemicals. They , along with the main stream media coerced and manipulated people into getting injected with experimental poison that has killed and maimed millions, why would they care now

      8
      Reply
      1. Pezlar

        Well said. Educate yourselves people! It’s no coincidence that the healthiest items in the shops are the most expensive.
        ‘It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly society’. J.Krishnamurti

        2
      2. Pezlar

        *profoundly sick society

        1
      3. Jay

        Deb, the government ARE us. We vote for them, we can stand for election and change things. Don’t give up.

  31. Fay

    Thank you for the knowledge 🙏

    Reply
  32. Karen

    Thank you. A very interesting article. I have often wondered what caused my overactive thyroid many years ago. This took years to diagnose because it caused so many symptoms. Eventually they tested my blood and there it was, super overloaded with Thyroxine levels. This stopped me from becoming pregnant, sensitive to the sun, tremors, dry skin, losing a lot of weight due to a very high metabolism and a very high resting heart rate. I had to have a thyroidectomy to resolve it and now take a synthetic thyroxine. Keep up the good work!!

    1
    Reply
  33. Deborah

    Really made me think. Will be gradually replacing all tuppaware and non stick saucepans.

    Reply
    1. Stephanie

      Hi Feb, I was a Distributor for Tupperware for many reasons and can tell you that the plastic they used is not toxic unless you reheat in non microwave products. Check the base of the products to symbols for their use. Eg the snowflake for freezing.

      Returned broken Tupperware was recycled into our council rubbish bins and the dash of Ford cars.

      Reply
  34. Anne

    Love the APP, I’m much more careful now with what I buy. Really helpful as some products that I think are healthy turn out to have lots of hidden nasties. Thank you for a very interesting article. It comes after a similar podcast I listened to. I’m now changing back to glass for my food storage.

    Reply
  35. Rose

    The app has changed the way I shop , particularly for the little ones.
    Article was very enlightening and informative. There needs more regulation of products and of manufacturers . Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  36. Lynnie

    So so interesting, and although we have made significant changes in our house there still remains the problem of thousands of containers coming across the sea full of plastic junk that is bought on such a scale that also is frightening!

    1
    Reply
  37. Noor

    Great informative article. Thank you!

    Reply
  38. Moira

    Great information though terrifying too, very sad our governments and manufactuerers don’t act on this type of information and make change… we need to make the change..

    2
    Reply
  39. Eddy

    Love the app and thank you for all the information So much more need doing at government level if we want to reduce the harm we’re causing to ourselves and the planet . Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  40. Roberta

    Thanks for this information, I already have made some changes.

    Reply
  41. Liliana

    I love this app …thank you so much for sharing
    Very interesting and in the same time fritening
    Very worried about environment we are living in

    Reply
  42. Laila

    Interesting read, although quite frightening!
    Thank you for sharing this important information.

    1
    Reply
  43. Mary

    I love this app and they committed service you provide. Thank you

    1
    Reply
  44. Glenise

    Unbleavable to read wow so much information thankyou

    Reply
  45. Denny Diesel

    Thank you for taking the time/research to put this article together and for sharing.

    Reply
  46. Mandy

    Thank you for the lifesaving work you do, I don’t shop without my Yuka app and have told so many about it! So many products that I thought were good because they had the word organic incorporated in their wording are not, has changed my shopping entirely🙏

    1
    Reply
  47. Rosa

    Thank you, Yuka.
    I found Jean-Baptiste’s article noteworthy regarding his assessment that, “ Studies reveal that fetal mice, when exposed to these phthalates, can develop altered sexual behavior as adult mice and can develop brain tissue that is more vulnerable to pollutants57.”
    Could this have any bearing on the explosion of transgenderism, I wonder?

    4
    Reply
    1. Terry-ann

      There is no “explosion” of transgenderism. Acceptance and population growth would be more likely and for yourself feeling like it’s an “explosion” plus the internet…. This has opened up the world to the otherwise ignorant.

      1
      Reply
      1. Hugh

        I agree, therre is just an explosion of stupidity!

        1
    2. Nmph

      Stupidest thing I’ve read today, which is saying a lot!

      Reply
  48. Alex

    Thankyou very helpful most of the things I already do nato

    Reply
  49. Emma

    This was a fantastic article!
    I love Yuka!!! We buy nothing until it has been “scanned” and comes up all green. I will not give a cent to companies who are killing us and our planet.

    To everyone at Yuka, Keep up the life saving work ❤️

    1
    Reply
  50. Pam

    Thank You.

    Reply
  51. Chari

    Thank you for all you do, please keep this going. You are making a difference to people’s life’s.

    Reply
  52. Mary Carole

    Thank you so much for all that information. I am aware of the situation to a certain degree, your email makes me much more aware.

    Reply
  53. Maria

    Thank you … appreciate all your work in informing us to make us aware and make better choices for our families and the planet.

    Reply
  54. Laura

    Again, thankyou Julie and Jean et al @ Yuka for your continued concern and pro action towards people, nature and our planet via your app and valuable informative articles. Maybe the steep drop in human male fertility can be attributable to said hormone disruptors, most significantly I think, owing to the (now generational) use of contraceptive products.

    Reply
  55. Anna

    Thanks for all the wonderful work you do – great article.

    Reply
  56. Iman

    Oh my goodness!!
    Thank-you so much for letting us know BUT what a Challenge to trying to avoid these endocrine disruptors!

    Reply
  57. Teresa

    Thank you, things I realize but great to have a reminder.

    Reply
  58. Jeanette

    Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  59. robyn

    great article – thanks

    Reply
  60. Alcabra

    There’s no hope. It’s impossible to remove these from our environments. It’s false hope to think we can. Just resign yourself to being the cast offs for the elite who are perpetrating these offenses against the world.

    Reply
  61. Esther

    Woe thsnkyou so much for passing on this very valuable information

    Reply
  62. Judith

    Thank you for the information. In our modern society it is so difficult to avoid these problematic products. All we can do is be aware and make the choices necessary.

    Reply
  63. Linda

    Interesting article. Need to get rid of my tupperware and non stick pans. My husband says the dishwasher is bad due to rinse aid beind toxic? Is this correct? He prefers to do dishes by hand and rinse them before drying.

    10
    Reply
  64. Janet

    This was such a timely email to receive! Thank you Yuka as always 🙏❤️

    Reply
  65. Mel

    Yuka Ap and the people behind it are making a significant difference to the way people are changing to a healthier, brighter and ultimately a longer life. Please keep up the amazing work.

    1
    Reply
  66. Janet

    I’ll appreciate it, love you so much app.😊

    1
    Reply
  67. Tim

    Excellent article highlighting the dangers in most products that we come into daily contact with. My wife and I find shops increasingly difficult because of the chemical smell coming off clothes and cleaning products in supermarkets and fear for the people who have to work in this chemical fog.

    1
    Reply
  68. Mary

    Thank you to Yuka. This is such a wonderful ap. Yuka gives me decision making choices I have never had before.

    Reply
  69. Diane

    Mind blowing . I’m a ‘believer’.
    We are so intrenched into these commodities but we can be discerning and take some responsibility for our choices.
    Thankyou very much.

    Reply
  70. Ricci

    I would not listen to anything the WHO recommends as they are a corrupt organisation which is why I was so happy to hear President Trump also knew

    1
    Reply
    1. Ruth

      Heaven help you if you’re relying on Trump as the source of accurate information

      4
      Reply
    2. Schmee

      Oh, the irony!

      Reply
  71. Grazina

    I sincerely thank you for your very useful knowledge. I have been using your app for quite a long time and recommend it to everyone, not only to friends, but also to strangers in stores. If I notice people reading the composition of the products they buy, I am never ashamed to show your app and recommend it. This is extremely important and necessary information. Thank you very much for helping people take care of their health 🤍🙏🥰

    Reply
  72. Nicola

    Thank you so much I love your app , I can not believe how much bad stuff is in our products etc , I have a slight under active thyroid so I have to be extra careful , I chose not to take medication as I know if I eat the right food with out the bad stuff in it .
    I tell lots of people about Yuka it’s a great watt to try and protect our selfs as much as we can .

    1
    Reply
  73. Emma

    Thank you Julie and Jean Baptiste, so very interesting. Ties in with a podcast with Stephen Bartlett and the toxicologist Dr Yvonne Burkart, enlightening! Since being introduced to your wonderful app, my viewpoint has changed dramatically on what we eat and what skincare products we use. I will talk, enthuse to anyone who stands still long enough for me to share this priceless information and want to thank you so very much for sharing. Please keep up the wonderful work ❤️

    Reply
  74. Paula

    So informative, thank you. I keep promoting your app to others. I run a preschool and we have been sharing your app with parents to show what the foods in their lunch boxes contain. So many parents where shocked at how much sugar and additives are in the foods they are giving them. Today I shared this information at a network meeting to other settings. Your app makes it so much easier to understand what’s in the items we buy, thank you. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

    Reply
  75. Susan

    You don’t mention breast cancer in your list of possible cancers yet I have read endocrine disruptor molecules have been found in breast tissue and tumours. I have had breast cancer twice so I have read up on this.
    I am so grateful to Yuka’s scanning system for identifying possible EDs. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Jo

      Oh my I’m so sorry you’ve had breast cancer twice. My mum did too and is very well at 76 years of age xx I think Yuka have definitely forgot to list that as it’s definitely another cancer that is effected by endocrine disrupter.

      1
      Reply
      1. Susan

        Thanks Jo. I had it first at 37 and then again at 63, I’m now 67. First time round was devastating. Second time round I wasn’t worried at all. What concerns me is the number of younger women getting it. Glad to hear your Mum is doing well. My Mum is 93, in good health, and never had a mammogram in her life!

  76. Angela

    This is so useful – and also shocking. It’s good to have your guidelines saying what can be done to help. We live in a dangerous world on many levels.

    Reply
  77. Lesley

    I for one am happy to read the info Yuka supply it’s up to the individual to make an informed decision on the research provided by the same. It is a changing world, whereas it is hugely impossible to take out everything harmful these days but every little helps: all I know is cancer cases are growing and child disorders too. Yuka Ap is free and helpful and that is a rare thing these days! Thank you

    2
    Reply
  78. Eliza

    Wow, Ive suspected all along that healthy, good for you products are highly priced, so that most people will buy the products which harm us! Wonder why? And no ban on items which are cheaply produced and full of endoctrine disruptors wow again. The rich and privileged want rid of us for sure.

    Reply
  79. Barrie

    A great app. I’ve altered my diet . For example, I thought a quiche was a good meal low in baddies. But no it is classed as poor. I’m learning.

    Reply
  80. Pete

    How did you know I have Addisons
    Hormones sound easy but they are quite hard.
    Bloody Good Article Julie
    Top Hole

    Reply
  81. Laura

    Thanks so much for this. So informative & useful. I have a thyroid condition so I’m always looking for ways to reduce the use of toxins. There were a few points here I hadn’t heard before, so thank you.

    1
    Reply
  82. brett

    sorry but i feel like i have to comment on this
    Literally we are fed by social media, news feeds, sites like this every day about something that is harmful to us or something that will cause cancer, or a war has broken out. now its the water i drink will poision me. is nothing on this planet safe? are these type of reports turning us to Hypochondriasis from being bomarded relentlesly? my apologies, i take my health very seriously but these mails along with everything else can cause us more harm from stress which causes inflamation – which causes serious ilness than the actual information on the report itself!

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    1. Diana

      I understand how you feel, it can seem like hard work trying to make such an effort to make these changes in order to protect our health. Please understand that Yuka is simply pointing out that the chemical processing of anything isn’t good for us. Knowledge is power. Those who want to carry on using plastic utensils and drinking bleached tap water can do so if filtering your water and switching to stainless steel pans etc causes an individual too much stress. At the end of the day, animals aren’t doing all the things we are, they don’t cover their bodies in perfumes and drink water from a chemical plant, they don’t microwave their food in plastic tubs . Yuka is giving us the knowledge of safer options which is a privilege for those who wish to protect their families. It is just common sense that a more natural approach to life and avoiding unnecessary chemicals is key to longevity. Cavemen wouldn’t have a problem! Wherever we choose to consume chemicals (including those present in the production of tap water) there can be consequences of which is becoming apparent. Thank you Yuka

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      Reply
    2. Julian

      Filter the water you drink and try to relax. Implement one change in your lifestyle at a time. The reality is that pretty much everything we consume is designed to harm us. Articles like this teach us how to reclaim that control over our lives.
      It may seem scary to read this sort of content, but instead see it as an opportunity to be your best version, one day at a time.
      Take care, and sending love and peace to you.

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      Reply
  83. patsy

    thank you YUKA. I have passed this on to all my family and friends. I am truly shocked when talking to people who have never even heard of endocrine disrupters !!

    Reply
  84. Susan

    Thank you for this information.. I’m so glad I found Yuka.

    2
    Reply
  85. Steve

    Very informative and concerning, I have a new grandson arriving in the coming months, I will be following your advice as much as possible

    Reply
  86. Cecilia

    Thank you so much for the article. It’s the old saying we don’t know what we don’t know.
    We are blessed with four wonderful little granddaughters and I am more & more mindful of what they eat, drink et cetera. there should be more accountability and monitoring, and then we can make informed decisions. The YUKA.App is extremely educational, thank you

    1
    Reply
  87. Harvey

    thank you for making me aware,Yuka is a fantastic app I use all the time, I wouldn’t be without it.

    3
    Reply
  88. Lynne

    Very good article, loads of information, I have suffered long term with under active thyroid problems, wishing over the years I could manage it naturally, if I knew then….. all the info out there, causes & concerns, thanks yuka team, 💗 love your app 😄

    1
    Reply
  89. Ryan

    It’s easy to say avoid non-stick utensils (pans especially), but what’s the alternative to cooking in non-stick pans? It’s a headache washing food that gets stuck on pans.

    9
    Reply
    1. Linda

      I want to get rid of non stick too and now there are diamond coayed pans but again i don t know if they are safe. What can we cook in?

      Reply
  90. Constantina

    This app is amazing. I’m very opened mind and very aware what is going on in this world. I’m trying the best to keep my HEALTH unattached. Is very difficult – I KNOW 😌😌. I’m continuously researching to have the KNOWLEDGE to look after my HEALTH because if you don’t do – NO ONE DOES and NO ONE CARES. !!

    3
    Reply
  91. Liz

    Suntan lotions are a big problem
    So far in the UK I have only found 2 products without endocrine disruptors, yet we are encouraged to slap it on

    6
    Reply
    1. Ali

      Liz, which are the two you have found please?

      3
      Reply
      1. Liz

        Nivea Sensitive Immediate Product SPF+ and Garnier Amber Solaire SPF 30
        Both in white bottles
        Hope this helps, there may be more but not yet found any

        3
    2. Yolanda

      Which are those 2 products please?

      Reply
  92. Rass

    Amazing app! Recommended it to so many people already. Downside is that I spend much more time in the shops now, using the app for everything before I put it in the trolley 🙂

    5
    Reply
  93. sarah

    Brilliant info, many thanks.

    Reply
  94. Florence

    Love the app and thank you for all the information So much more need doing at government level if we want to reduce the harm we’re causing to ourselves and the planet . Keep up the good work! 👍

    1
    Reply
  95. Elizabeth

    Thank for this information very important to me and to learn whats good and bad. Am very grateful for this information.

    Thank you , keep up the good work.

    Thank you Yuka team

    2
    Reply
  96. Tim

    Do you know if arla feed and food products hold any issues. Many people I know avoid when discovered.

    1
    Reply
  97. Gabriel

    SO hard to avoid chemicals. I try not to eat any highly processed food a d also avoid cleaning products with chemicals. E cloths with water cleans most things. I start sneezing when I go down a chemical/cleaning aisle in the supermarket. Enough said. Thanks so much for the article.

    Reply
  98. Marina

    Unfortunately, I live in the UK, and this is hard to avoid. I eat organic food, and most of the products I use are natural (I hope).

    1
    Reply
    1. simon

      I think the UK is a relatively privileged country in this context – which countries do you believe offer a better level of product information and choice?

      Reply
  99. Jocelyn

    Thanks for this information, I am very grateful to Yuka Team, I love Yuka.
    I would love it please, if Yuka started a Testing Facility for Household products in the near future, for Harmful ingredients, thanks !!

    1
    Reply
  100. Gemma

    Hoping you can add cleaning products / laundry solutions to the app eventually, although there’s probably hardly anything that isn’t bad at the moment. Hoping these big brands will get on board and understand that we don’t want handful chemicals in our lives if it can be avoided.

    8
    Reply
    1. Diana

      Check out the brands Attitude and minimal on Amazon, they are safer than any other I have found and I’m happy to use them as they only use natural scents. Such a difference!

      Reply
  101. Irene

    It’s a scary world we live in now, hard to negotiate around all these toxins ! I thought I was doing so well by cutting out ultra processed food, seems that’s not enough !

    1
    Reply
  102. Sue

    Rather depressing but informative article.
    Will’s comment at least made me laugh ‘ best effort to live naked in a cave on an island!!’

    5
    Reply
  103. Ali

    Useful information, I love the Yuka app. I just hope more can be done to stop all these toxic products. Thank you

    1
    Reply
  104. Peter

    Great article, looks like it’s near impossible to avoid them living in the UK. What a world we live in…

    1
    Reply
  105. Jen

    I’m using the app every time I shop . Very easy to use . I have given info to others who now use it as well
    Thank you so much 🤗🤗

    3
    Reply
    1. Lisa

      I use the app for everything now! It is a fabulous tool!

      Reply
  106. Janice

    Thanks for the information, most appreciated.

    1
    Reply
  107. Will

    Very interesting article albeit slightly depressing as, in many aspects of life, it is virtually impossible to avoid these disruptors – they are within our environment and although there are useful tips to reduce contact, the best efforts would be by living naked, in a cave, on an island.

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  108. Mark

    Thank you for the great article.
    It’s scary and very sad the world in which we live in.
    We have lost all respect for our lives and the lives of the generations to possibly follow. I’m so glad I’m the last of my generation.
    Live life to the full and do to others as you would have them do unto you x

    3
    Reply
  109. chris

    24 years ago I read Suzannah Olivers book ‘You are what you eat. Natural Hormone Balance’, I think she was a prophet in the wilderness. This excellent article is an update. At 76 and 78 we will try even harder to maintain 24 years of practice.

    1
    Reply
  110. Lynne Palmerston

    Very interesting read. I had no idea that endocrine disrupters were present in so many everyday things.

    2
    Reply
  111. Maggi

    Fascinating article, giving scientific explanation for harmful phenomena long (instinctively) considered likely.

    1
    Reply
  112. KELLY

    This app is brilliant 👏 we are informing many friends & family to sign up.

    1
    Reply
  113. Yashica

    Thank you Juile. I read information and good quality, food ingredients. Helpful use. 🤗

    1
    Reply
  114. Giselle

    Great…

    Reply
  115. Joan

    Thank you

    Reply
  116. Ernestas

    All hail Yuka!

    Reply
  117. Sonia

    Thank you for your research!
    Jean-Baptiste Fini ❤️

    Reply
  118. ken

    lets not forget the cem trails in our sky there is no escape, we are all at danger of these toxins. hence taking care the best we can. detoxing is the only answer at this time ? and look after number one, spirulina & cholera not forgetting your super greens ( Detox ) stay safe my fellow friends !

    4
    Reply
  119. Alex

    Brilliantly informative and thought provoking article. Well done Yuka 👏

    1
    Reply
  120. Vimala

    Good useful information!

    1
    Reply
  121. PR

    The article appears to be in the standard scare mode but no details.
    All a bit Daily Mail, but I suppose it’s how food info apps get business.
    Please can we have some real data and proven solutions and not waffling?

    So endocrine disruptors can be a big problem and phthalates are known to be an environmental problem. Ok that’s fine.
    But phthalates are not in food intentionally.. mainly packaging.

    Talking of which.. don’t buy food from China or USA would be good advice too?

    You then talk about parabens.. is that a disruptor?

    How does the advice relate to improving health in a measurable way?
    Is there any simple proof or tests done that they would reduce intake by people or environment?

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  122. Christine

    Great information. I love this App & always recommend to family, friends & strangers, even the health shops I visit ! Thank you 🙏

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    1. Chris

      Scary stuff but needs balance on “real world” risk trades. E.g. anxiety blood pressure raising carpetlesss environment v quiet insulating and soothing carpeting.
      Nevertheless, Yuka is a help along the way.

      Reply
  123. Helen

    Excellent lm 70 and didn’t know this

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    1. Chris

      ….and survived so far. I’m 75!

      Reply
  124. Suzanne

    Thank you for this very helpful information.

    Reply
  125. Cheryl

    Very informative and eye opening article. Industry seems to only care about the bottom line which is money and not the poisoning of humans! I have many nonstick cooking pans which are prob contributing to hormone disruptions.

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  126. Ashley

    Does anyone know how Carpe products rate on Yuka?

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    Reply
  127. Laura

    I am very thankful your team created this app! I am sure it will be my favorite for my lifetime! I wish I had known about it sooner. I have always tried to get the best products and food. I am so thankful your app takes all the guess work out of wondering is it or is it not good for me.
    Thank you for all your hard work, and for helping so many to see the truth about what harmful ingredients are in so many of the products that by the wording or packaging looked to be ok. You all are awesome and so appreciate!

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    Reply
  128. Bil

    This was great information. Thank you.

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    Reply
  129. monique

    j’aime beaucoup les informations que je viens de lires

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    Reply
  130. Debra

    Love this research article!

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    Reply
  131. Stephanie

    I am so glad my friend told me about your app. With all the crud in daily consumed/used products it is an asset.
    Thank you!

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    Reply
  132. Kathy

    Thank you so much for this informative app. I scan everything before buying now. Being severely lactose intolerant this will be so helpful.

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    Reply
  133. Saybra

    Thanks for all the wonderful info

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    Reply
  134. Amelia

    I love this app. I was stunned by the amount of products I had in my home that were not good. It would be very helpful if the products could be listed here on this site. Then, when we are looking for a product we don’t have to scan and it’s only available online and we can’t scan it before hand, we can check here. Just a thought. Appreciate that you give cleaner recommendations. Thank you so very much for this app.

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    Reply
    1. Julie de Yuka

      Thank you Amelia! I am happy to hear you are getting good use out of the app!
      We are exclusively a mobile app at the moment, however I appreciate your suggestion and we’ll see if there may be a possibility to expand into the website.

      Thanks again for your support!

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      1. Hugh

        3
    2. Yvonne

      When shopping on line the bar code on the product it will scan.( If I pull the product up on my tablet, find a pic with the bar code I can scan the bar code of the product with Yuka app with my phone ) sometimes you need to go into the reviews and look for a pic that a consumer has taken for their review.

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      Reply
  135. L.K.

    This article is definitely an eye opener! Thank you for the information.

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    Reply
  136. American

    No mention of profucts with Bioengineered food ingredients commonly known as GMOs. Yuka still dont show them as bad in app! GMO food is not good for us and that alone should affect item score in yuka but yet it doesnt.

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    1. Julie de Yuka

      Hello,
      Thank you for taking the time to read this article!
      Yuka’s objective is to rate the impact of products on human health. The main concern with GMO ingredients is their environmental impact, which currently isn’t evaluated by our app.
      Presently, under the federal federal Bioengineered food labeling law not all food products made with GMO’s require disclosure. Certain products such as meat, poultry, and eggs (and processed products where these are the first ingredients) as well as highly refined ingredients (like some sugars and oils) are exempted from the regulation.

      If you want to choose products without GMOs, you can look out for the USDA organic label, which is taken into account in the Yuka app.

      Have a great day!

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      Reply
  137. Kat

    Thank you so much, really helpful!

    What about viscose? Having in mind that it’s semi-synthetic, is it safe to use?

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  138. Milanie

    You forgot to say one thing…Pray! We can’t get around round this they have destroyed our water, air, food and most everything for profit, greed and pure evilness however I have a God that sits high and see’s all the evil of this world. We would have been dead with all the poison, contamination and destruction they that has been set in place. Put God!

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    1. Hugh

      ok

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    2. John

      Good grief

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      Reply
  139. Lola

    Your app make me shopping wisely, and choose only healthy food.

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    Reply
  140. Krista

    Love your app and thank you for this great article

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    Reply
  141. Kyle

    We have been SOO much better educated form using your app than we ever have been with foods and cosmetics before! Been referring your app to all my friends and familly. 🙂 Keep up the awesome work and added features you have coming. 🙂

    5
    Reply
    1. Julie de Yuka

      Thank you Kyle! Thank you for supporting Yuka and sharing with your friends and family! We are excited to keep expanding and keep our app evolving!

      Have a great one!

      1
      Reply
  142. Mark

    What about underarm deodorant?

    Reply
  143. Diana

    Your app has educated me immensely and I have shared my information with friends and family. I always assumed the more money you spent as an example on cosmetics Insured better quality products. Big surprise not so. Also I have always tried to eat well but found out a lot of those items are not healthy also. I look forward to learning more in the future as it is an ongoing process that I have just started. Thank you

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    Reply
    1. Julie de Yuka

      Hi Diana! Happy to hear you are getting a lot of use out of the app! Stay tuned for more articles and recipes on this blog 😉

      Reply
  144. Donna

    Yuka thanks I do eat a lot better now don’t buy bad stuff , didn’t realize all the bad food I was eating wow and all those face cream I bought was bad ,thanks Yuka

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  145. stephen

    Even drinking too much water will kill you so it’s about toxicity.
    What about our bodies natural ability to filter and remove toxins; liver, kidneys, etc..
    Don’t they work on these.

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    Reply
  146. Yvonne

    Great article! it would be awesome of you to write a follow up and focus on the cosmetics and body washes we are using constantly so we can Eliminate those. Love the app and use it daily!! I am probably a little obnoxious about telling everyone I know to purchase it!!! Thanks

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  147. Karen

    I agree with it all, except the use of iodized salt. Iodine quickly breaks down in the bottle so by the time you ingest it, it’s not enough to matter. Most people should just be taking iodine as a supplement, except those with Hashimoto’s. The way that commercial salt works in the body is to strip the body of minerals. The minerals themselves have been made incomplete in the refining process, so when it enters your body, it wants to complete itself. Thus causing a whole host of problems, heart disease, blood pressure problems, etc. We all should be using pink salt that is unrefined. Thank you for all your hard work.

    Reply
  148. Robby

    Opt for second hand furniture? Yeahhhhh ok. How is that going to keep endocrine disrupting glue from affecting me? This is how I know this is BS.

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    1. Mark

      The theory is probably that it’s had time to air out / dissipate the bad stuff.

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      Reply
    2. Barbara

      Buying second hand items is reusing. It’s part of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle campaign.

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      Reply
  149. Anna

    Thank you so much for information! Unfortunately that’s our today’s life 🙁 But fortunately we still have some ways to avoid or at least minimize the impact.

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  150. Judith

    Thank you for all the great info, it makes a difference.

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    Reply
  151. Diana Foreman

    Thank You Yuka, I really appreciate your Health concerns and I do try to keep up, I am a senior with type 2 Diabetes but I constantly try hard to stay on top and make needed adjustments. I use the Yuka App to shop with when and wherever I am. I have also gone through all the washing products, make ups and discarded anything that is a danger to my health. My finances are limited so unfortunately I can’t join the membership, I do support you otherwise, Again Thanks.👍💖

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    Reply
    1. Julie de Yuka

      Hello Diana,

      Thank you for your kind words. It is amazing to see the impact our app has on our users lives, we are incredibly thankful to have such great people in our community!
      Premium or not, we appreciate every single person that uses and supports the app 😊

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

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  152. Susan

    Excellent and very helpful article!

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  153. Batsheva

    Thanks for this very explanatory article, however I found it incomplete. If you make awareness with such excellent information you should bring information as well of the products or items that contain these endo disruptions. Also, you should provide where can we buy it, brands name and why you should or should not buy those products. What can we do with your information if we don’t know what to do with it. I am a Yuka member and I check many things you mentioned in the app, but Yuka doesn’t have certain endo disruptors you mentioned like laundry detergent, cleaning products, etc.

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    1. Dane

      Don’t be lazy, do your own research instead of requesting someone else do the work for you. This article is to bring awareness and is up to you how you use the information.

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    2. Julie de Yuka

      Hello,

      In the article examples are provided, however as an independent application we do not and will not ever make specific brand or store recommendations. This would present a conflict of interest and we strive to remain completely independent to ensure our mission remains transparent.
      Our focus is on food and cosmetics at the moment and, with over 4 million products on our data base already, we do not have any plans currently to expand into cleaning products.

      Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope this helps clarify a few points for you!

      Regards

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  154. Jennifer

    Great article! Thank you.

    I honestly would be lost without this app. I show it to everyone and tell them to download it! When I first started using the app, shopping took a lot longer. Now it’s easier than ever because I don’t have to wade through the sea of horrible products!

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    Reply
    1. Julie de Yuka

      Thank you for your support Jennifer! We are glad you are enjoying the app and finding it useful, we hope to continue making a difference for both consumers and pushing brands towards making real changes!

      Reply
  155. Liza

    Wow!!Great article, with a lot knowledge.Thank you!!

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  156. Rasheed

    This is awesome! Thank you for keeping us safe 🙂

    Keep up the excellent work!

    Rasheed Irani

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    Reply
    1. Sharon Echols-Gibbs

      Praise God!!! This information is truly amazing. I am so grateful to you for helping keep us safe from these harmful products.

      Reply