ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS (EDCS) AND THEIR MULTI-SYSTEMIC IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) comprise a structurally diverse cohort of exogenous compounds that perturb the homeostatic regulation of hormonal signaling pathways. Ubiquitously distributed across industrial applications, consumer plastics, and agricultural effluents, EDCs—including Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—represent a critical challenge to global physiological integrity. This review provides a rigorous synthesis of current toxicological and epidemiological evidence, elucidating the complex exposure pathways and multi-modal molecular mechanisms through which these agents operate. Beyond classical nuclear receptor agonism and antagonism (e.g., estrogen and androgen receptors), we examine non-monotonic dose-response curves and the disruption of metabolic regulators, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Furthermore, we detail the role of EDCs in mediating stable epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone acetylation, which may facilitate transgenerational inheritance of disease phenotypes. Special emphasis is placed on "windows of susceptibility"—critical developmental periods (prenatal, neonatal, and pubertal) where endocrine interference can irreversibly alter cellular differentiation and organogenesis. These disruptions manifest clinically as a spectrum of multi-systemic pathologies, including reproductive dysfunction, neurodevelopmental impairments, metabolic syndromes, and an increased incidence of hormone-sensitive malignancies. By integrating recent longitudinal cohort data with mechanistic molecular studies, this review highlights the urgent need for refined regulatory frameworks and biomonitoring strategies to mitigate the long-term health trajectories associated with chronic, low-dose EDC exposure.