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Endocrine Disruptor
Chemical that interfere with the endocrine (hormone) systems of animals
Effects of Endocrine Disruptors
Bind to cellular receptors meant for hormones, blocking the hormone from being received, or amplifying its effects
Disruptors
Atrazine
DDT
Pthalates
Heavy Metals (Lead, Arsenic, Mercury)
Human Medications or urine flushed down the toilet and into the sewage
Atrazine
Broad-spectrum herbicide use to control weeds & prevent crop loss
Applied to
Can contaminate human well-water, or enter body via unwashed produce
Where is Atrazine applied and where does it run off?
Agriculture fields and runs off into local surface or groundwater or is carried by wind
What does Atrazine contaminate?
Contaminates human well-water, or enter body via unwashed produce
DDT
A broad-spectrum insecticide that was phased out, but still persists in environment
Where is DDT applied and where does it run off?
Applied to agricultural fields, runs off into local surface or groundwater or is carried by wind
Phthalates
Compounds used in plastic and cosmetic manufacturing
Where does Phthalate come from?
Enter surface & groundwater via intentional dumping of trash, or chemical waste from plastic/cosmetic factories improperly disposing of waste, landfill leaching; also found in. cosmetics and plastic food containers (#3 plastic and fragrance)
Mercury
Coal combustion, trash incineration, burning medical waste, heating limestone for cement
Attachment and Release of Mercury
Attaches to PM released by burning & deposits in soil/water wherever PM settles; can be released if coal ash stored in ponds overflow & runoff
Mercury disruptions
Inhibits estrogen & insulin (menstrual cycle & ovulation)
Teratogen can accumulate in the fetus’s brain
Arsenic
Naturally occurring element in rocks underground that can dissolve by drinking water; natural release into groundwater can be worsened by mining
Sources of Arsenic
Formerly in pesticides applied to agricultural fields (can still linger in soil, wood treatment chemicals to prevent rot, coal combustion & ash)
Arsenic Disruptions
Lung, bladder, kidney, glucocorticoid system
Removal of Arsenic
Water Filters
Lead Origins
Found in old paint in homes, old water pipes, and soils contaminated by PM from vehicle exhaust before the lead was phased out of gas in 70s; also released in fly ash of coal combustion
Lead Disruptions
Neurotoxicant - Damages central nervous system, especially in children
Removal of Lead
Water filters
Coal Ash
Can be a source of Mercury, Lead, and Arsenic
Attachment of Coal Ash
Attach to fly ash from smokestacks and be carried by wind, deposited in ecosystems far away
Storage of fly and bottom coal ash
Stored on site in ponds, dug into soil & lined with plastic
Pond leach into groundwater
Contaminating it with Arsenic, Lead, and Mercury
Overflowing Ponds
Runoff into nearby surface waters & agricultural fields