Endocrine Disruptors: Hidden killers in our food.A review on some Italian products (Chapter 8)

This book provided experimental evidence supporting the fact that some synthetic chemicals were able to interfere with the hormonal messages involved in the growth and development of living organisms, starting from the fetus. Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) are a heterogeneous class of chemicals encompassing persistent contaminants (dioxins, polychlorinated, biphenyls, flame retardants), pesticides (triazoles, triazines, organic chlorinated or phosphoric compounds), substances from the industrial world (phthalates, bisphenols), and synthetic drugs (diethylstilbestrol or 17-alfa ethinylestradiol). EDCs interact with germ cells by altering the epigenoma. Human exposure to EDCs cover the entire life: from the gestation to the dead. The main route of EDCs assumption by living organisms is food.More studied EDCs are phenol compounds such as bisphenols and plasticizers such as phthalates, pesticides and dioxins. In chapter 8 EDCs presence in some food of major consumption , such as milk, fresh or canned fish, canned tomatoes, beverages and soft drinks of Italian market was considered.