Renee Rosenow

Water bottles, Saran wrap and cosmetics all share a common characteristic – they have something in common with hormones, specifically estrogen.

Studies are finding that the makeup of chemicals in these products, known as environmental estrogens, may imitate what natural estrogen does. These so-called “environmental estrogens” have inspired a controversial debate over whether or not they cause significant health problems, including having negative effects on the reproductive system.

What are environmental estrogens?

Estrogens are hormones produced in the bodies of both females and males, but more often in females. They influence the hormonal functions in the body, such as menstruation and pregnancy.

“Our bodies make natural estrogen that does a lot of different things,” said Winnifred Bryant, assistant professor of biology.

“We are most familiar with natural estrogen as it relates to reproduction,” she said. “(Estrogen) stimulates growth of the uterus and of breast tissue.”

Aside from the reproductive system, estrogen can also affect other parts of the body.

“It also targets bones, the liver and the cardiovascular system,” Bryant said. “It’s a very important hormone.”

But what about these environmental estrogens?

Bryant has researched environmental estrogens’ effects on the body. Bryant said there are two different types of environmental estrogens: Xenoestrogens (xeno meaning foreign), are found in components of plastics; and phytoestrogens, found in plants and various chemicals and their components.

“My studies deal with what (environmental estrogens) do,” Bryant said.

Bryant’s research focused specifically on the effects of environmental estrogens on the pituitary gland. Environmental estrogens can effect gene transcription in the pituitary gland and how they’re regulated at the molecular level, Bryant said.

Senior Krista Carlson, a double major in biology and art, has assisted Bryant in her research.

“We were testing the effects of xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens, (which are given off by soy) and their ability to activate the same estrogen receptors in our bodies,” she said.

Where are they found? Why might they be harmful?

Excess estrogen in the body can be harmful and may contribute to problems in the reproductive system, such as breast cancer, Bryant said.

The problem with environmental estrogens is that they are capable of mimicking the natural estrogens already present in the body – something Bryant is looking at in her research. The issue lies mostly in our constant exposure to plastics.

Xenoestrogens are mostly found in everyday plastics, such as food wrap, water bottles, toothbrushes, plastic dishes, but can also be found in cosmetics and pesticides.

Those found in plastics cause the most concern, due to harmful chemical components that become exposed over time as the plastic breaks down. A well-known and potentially harmful component is Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used to strengthen plastic and give it its clear color, which is found in water and baby bottles.

“I know BPA is really bad . I know they’ve been doing a recall on Nalgene bottles,” Carlson said. “(BPA) is given off in the breakdown in a certain polymer of plastic . it is given off due to the wear down of plastic over time.”

Senior John Gamble, a biology major and chemistry minor, also assisted Bryant in her research and shares Carlson’s concern about Nalgene bottles.

“BPA has these effects that can lead to health issues,” Gamble said. “It’s becoming more of a concern . they’ve started to find other replacement plastics.”

Xenoestrogens can be harmful in other places besides directly from the plastic product. During the making of plastic products, industrial waste can often be found in water near the factories.

“The reason they came to the attention of investigators is because you see negative effects on the reproductive system,” Bryant said. “You can find this winding up in industrial waste, which winds up in water.”

What you see then is anatomical and reproductive changes in animals, she said. Carlson added that frogs in streams by major factories have begun changing sexes due to the toxins in the water.

“(Toxins) have the same chemical makeup of estrogen so they are able to bind to our receptors,” Carlson said.

Carlson said that phytoestrogens, while less of a concern, still pose a risk to the body. These environmental estrogens are found in food products, particularly soy.

“I think it’s nothing really to worry about except for in high amounts . or unless that’s the only type of protein you’re taking into your body,” Carlson said.

How can “bad” environmental estrogens be avoided?

“While we’re trying to figure out the true extent of possible damage, you need to be reasonable,” Bryant said. “Moderate

your intake of soy, check labels, limit the use of plastics and use water bottles that are not plastic.”

Carlson agreed.

“There is stainless steel on the market now. Since the article came out on the Nalgene bottles, there has been a huge demand for stainless steel water bottles. There are alternative baby bottles now too,” she said.

Carlson also listed other risks for exposure to environmental estrogens.

“Putting Saran wrap over your food when you microwave it will expose you to xenoestrogens,” she said.

Bryant believes many are still unaware of the harmful effects of exposure to environmental estrogens.

“I don’t think we have a very good consensus of harm they might do,” she said.

The most people can do is limit their exposure, Bryant added.

Awareness could rise as more information becomes available on the possible risks of environmental estrogens.

“There has been some information in the news already and chances are there could be more focused on different ways we can be exposed to these chemicals,” Gamble said.

Carlson is definitely more aware after researching the subject.

“Doing this research has made me a lot more aware of my surroundings. Everything is made out of plastic these days,” Carlson said. “That’s a little nerving because of how much plastic we go through and how much we produce . and how that filters back into what we consume, our water . everything we drink. It feels like that type of production is going to catch up to us.”