The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) has made its report on 5 substances at risk of being endocrine disruptorss.
An endocrine disruptor acts on the hormonal system and can be the cause of dysfunctions such as infertility, birth defects or developmental delays.
ANSES made public the opinion on the evaluation of the five substances: TMBPF (4,4′-methylenedi-2,6-xylenol), triclocarban, RDP (tetraphenyl m-phenylene bis (phosphate), dicyclopentadiene and sulfate tin.
These obscure names for the general public hide:
-for TMBPF, a substance used in particular as a substitute for bisphenol A in the coating of metallic materials in contact with food
– for RDP (flame retardant)
– for triclocarban, an antibacterial and antifungal
– for tin sulphate, a material used in particular in cement preparations
– for dicyclopentadiene, a material present in the manufacture of polymers.
Substances at risk
The conclusions of the ANSES report reveal that the tests “do not demonstrate a PE effect for TMBPF. But” in the current state of knowledge, we cannot rule out that it may act “as such via certain modes of action ”, adds ANSES, which“ recommends that studies be required by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as part of a compliance check ”.
For RDP (flame retardant), “the data are quite limited” but there are warning signals on possible “neurotoxic effects, on the adrenal glands and on development”, warns ANSES. “The effects described in these few experimental studies still seem uncertain”, insists the Agency, which proposes “to submit the RDP to the evaluation of the EU regulation on chemicals (REACH)”.
For triclocarban, “the available data suggest the existence of a possible PE effect for human health and the environment”, explains ANSES. Therefore, triclocarban should be evaluated under REACH.
New studies have been set up to analyze five other substances suspected of being EDs. The agency has set up expertise work on homosalate, triflusulfuron methyl, triphenyl phosphate, bisphenol B and BDE-47.
Read also:
Pregnancy: the effect of endocrine disruptors on the fetus
Endocrine disruptors in children’s hair
Endocrine disruptors: women who want a baby need to protect themselves
