**5. Cost of EDCs**

*Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development*

of risk to human health.

chemicals production [3, 11, 48, 55].

considered (non-exhaustive list):

faucet).

pesticides).

nonstick pans.

be preferred.

towels and disposable diapers).

• Use alternatives to plastic toys.

• Take the shoes off before walking into the house.

• Increase the recycling rates of packaging plastics.

• Prefer ecological household cleaning products.

• Avoid flame retardant-treated clothing and furniture.

• Wash hands before preparing or eating food.

**4. Preventive strategies to reduce exposure to EDCs**

EDCs represent a global threat for human health and cause a high cost for the society [47]. Promoting public knowledge and initiating preventive measures will help minimizing the health and economic consequences of EDCs for future generations. Policymakers are caught between competing interests, those of organizations acting to protect health, and companies working to increase commercial profits. EDCs challenge regulators on how to translate science into policy. It is important to establish and agree on the criteria defining and identifying the EDCs and the level

Several agencies (e.g., US EPA and European Food Safety Agency) are regulating the EDCs. Legislation and regulation have been implemented over the last few years to control the exposure to EDCs. There are differences in regulations between countries, including between the USA and the EU. For example, countries with significant heavy chemicals industry are less open to changes towards greener

Exposure to EDCs cannot be entirely avoided. However, it is possible to minimize the exposure to EDCs [3, 4]. The following recommendations should be

• Use filtered water to minimize phthalates intake (install a filter on the

• Consume low-fat low-meat fresh food (instead of processed and canned food) and organic produce to reduce the ingestion of EDCs (especially

• Avoid beverages and foods stored in plastic containers. Replace plastics used in food preparation (for storage and heating in microwave) with glass, ceramic, stainless steel, and bisphenol A-free products to decrease the consumption of bisphenol A and phthalates. Keep water bottles cool to reduce bisphenol A leaching. Minimize the use of nonstick cookware. Throw away any scratched

• Use organic, natural cosmetics. Prioritize makeup and perfume products that are free of phthalates, parabens, and triclosan. For sunscreens, mineral-based products containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients should

• Minimize the use of bleached paper products containing dioxins (e.g., paper

**376**

EDCs are costing society hundreds of billions of dollars each year. Due to regulatory divergence and according to a relatively recent report, the disease costs in the USA were around 2.3% of the gross domestic product, higher than in the EU (around 1.3%) [47].

Regulatory actions to limit the most prevalent and hazardous EDCs could have substantial economic benefits. The costs of regulatory actions should be compared with the costs of inaction.
