Pew 24d ago

From food packaging to children’s toys to beauty products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA, and PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”) are in many everyday items. These chemicals can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, making exposure hard to avoid. In fact, data shows that nearly all Americans—99%+ of the population—have detectable levels of forever chemicals in their bodies. EDCs interfere with the body’s hormones, and even tiny amounts can affect your health. Research has linked exposure to EDCs with a wide range of serious medical issues including fertility problems, preterm birth, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and developmental differences such as ADHD. A recent Pew survey found that about 5 in 6 U.S. adults want government and businesses to do more to ensure chemical safety and improve transparency. Fortunately, some states are taking steps to reduce our exposure to these harmful chemicals, and there are companies moving toward safer alternatives. We are working to understand how EDCs enter daily life, which can help put the risks—and the solutions—in clearer focus.