What is an endocrine disruptor (and what is the endocrine system)?

Endocrine disrupter is a term used by a number of government authorities and international advisory bodies to describe a natural or synthetic chemical that effects the functioning of the endocrine system (there is no officially and internationally agreed definition).

The endocrine system is a complex set of glands, hormones and receptor cells, which helps control the development, growth, reproduction and behaviour of animals and humans. An endocrine active substance is a chemical that only produces a temporary, adaptive response in the endocrine system but with no long-term adverse effects. Examples of endocrine active substances include natural hormones from animals and humans (e.g.estradiol, testosterone, insulin, epinephrine); natural substances, e.g. plant constituents (phytoestrogens); synthetic hormone drugs (i.e. substances developed to obtain a specific hormonal action, e.g. the female birth control pill).