Air Pollution and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the atmosphere would continue to threaten life as long as human being would breathe air for life. The present chapter deals about the emerging sources of EDCs in the atmosphere, their mode of action at receptor levels, health consequences on prenatal and postnatal exposure, and precautionary measures to reduce exposure to EDCs. The disorders that are discussed include obesity, asthma, male reproductive disorders (hypospadias, cryptorchidism, distortion of semen quality, and prostate cancer), female reproductive disorders (polycystic ovarian syndrome, reproductive tract anomalies, uterine leiomyomas, premature ovarian failure, aneuploidy, breast cancer, endometriosis, and precocious puberty), hypothyroidism, neurodisorders (attention deficit and hyperactivity, autism spectrum, congenital adrenal hyperplasia), lung cancer, diabetes 2, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorder (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis). The disorders are elucidated based on the mechanism, EDCs involved, epidemiological studies, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.