Thanks to warnings from environmental groups and the government, most Americans are very aware of environmental pollutants like lead, mold, and asbestos. These can pose a threat if present in the home or workplace, so we take special care, sometimes at extreme expense, to make those areas safe. Many health-conscious consumers also try to avoid foods that are laden with preservatives or additives.

Unfortunately there is an environmental toxin that will not show up on a food label, and which you can’t have your home tested for. These substances, that we eat and breath daily, have been shown to cause birth defects and cancer in numerous studies. We’re talking about chemicals that are called xeno-estrogens, or more recently labeled eco-estrogens. They are chemicals that, due to their molecular structure, act and react like estrogen once they get into the body.

These are present, and unfortunately pumped into the environment and food supply in the form of pesticides, herbicides, petroleum by-products and plastics. You may already have heard of PCB’s, and DDT, the most newsworthy of the bunch. One study that brought the danger of PCB’s into the public eye goes back to 1984, involving 242 newborn infants. Lake Michigan was known to have high levels of PCB’s. The study found that babies born to mothers who ate as little as two Lake Michigan salmon meals per month had lower birth weights, smaller head circumferences, and exhibited poorer nerve and muscle development. Unfortunately, a follow-up study found that at six years of age the children still showed delayed development.

The effects of eco-estrogens go beyond pregnant women and infants. Research suggests that they are at least partially responsible for earlier onset of puberty in some girls, more severe PMS symptoms in some women, increased cancer risk, and hormone imbalances exacerbating menopausal symptoms in older women.

The effects of excess estrogen may also be responsible for another alarming statistic that has been noted in the developed nations of the world where these chemicals are used. It has been observed that in the last 50 years, the average sperm count in men has dropped 50%. This may be responsible in part, for the rising prevalence of couples experiencing fertility problems.

Concern over environmental estrogens is so great that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are examining blood and urine samples to determine what risks Americans face from exposure to approximately 50 different environmental estrogens. In addition, in 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency initiated a screening test program to identify the potential hormonal impact of 87,000 chemicals in commercial use today.

It has long been known that there are many sources of these compounds, and that exposure to small amounts of any one compound may not be a problem. Early research, however, is indicating that the effects of exposure to many different such chemicals are additive or cumulative in the body.

While the various agencies of the government continue to assess the situation there are a number of things you can do to limit your exposure to these dangerous compounds. First, since pesticides and herbicides are one of the major sources, it is a good idea to use organic products whenever possible. This is even more important for children, since they are far more sensitive to these compounds due to their smaller body mass and early development.

If you can’t find organic produce, it’s a good idea to wash your fruits and vegetables with mild dish soap and water, and rinse very well. Rinsing in water alone will not wash these residues off since much of our produce is waxed for freshness. In the case of smaller fruit, like berries or grapes, you can put them in a jar or container filled with water and a drop of soap and simply close, shake, and rinse very well.

Many eco-estrogens find their way into our water supply, so it is a good idea to filter your water with a good quality filter. The label should say that it removes VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). Filtering water yourself is better because it’s more economical, and because the purity of bottled water is sometimes unsure.

Estrogenic compounds are used in the manufacture of plastics to make them softer and more pliable. It is not recommended that you microwave food in plastic containers or wraps. Heat and microwaves have been shown to liberate some of these compounds and drive them into food. If you use a microwave, transfer the food into a microwave-safe plate or glass container before heating it. Some researchers also recommend limiting the time your food is stored in plastic containers, as this might also leach some of these compounds into the food.

Lastly, you can make some nutritional changes to help you body protect itself from exposure. Eating more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and kale actually helps the body dispose of excess estrogen. They contain a natural compound called indole-3-carbinol, which speeds the breakdown and elimination of estrogens. Taking supplements like DIM, phosphatidyl choline (concentrated lecithin), and inositol (in the B-vitamin family), also help by assisting the liver’s ability to break down and detoxify excess estrogens.