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€31 billion per year in EU health savings possible from reducing exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals

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Neuron_in_tissue_cultureExposure to food and everyday electronic, cosmetic and plastic products containing hormone disrupting chemicals (also called endocrine disrupting chemicals - EDCs) may be costing up to €31 billion per year in the European Union, according to a report launched on 18 June by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL).

The calculation draws on a list of diseases and conditions that expert scientists involved in EDC research have identified as “endocrine-related”. They are:

· Reproductive and fertility problems, including low sperm count;

· abnormalities of the penis and testicles in baby boys;

· cancer of the breast, prostate, testes;

· children’s behavioural disorders, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and;

· obesity and diabetes.

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Rates for many of these conditions are increasing rapidly. For example, with the exception of already high prevalence countries such as the Netherlands and Austria, all EU countries are experiencing strong rises in prostate cancer and Eastern and Southern European EU Member States are witnessing a dramatic rise in breast cancer.  Prevalence of autism and ADHD is now alarmingly high. In addition, experts say that much of the impact of EDCs is in reducing IQ, which prevents children from reaching their full potential. Some of the harm from fetal exposure to EDCs is initially hidden to emerge later in life as higher risk for hormone-related cancer or low sperm count.

On behalf of HEAL, environmental economist Dr Alistair Hunt of University of Bath and Dr Julia Ferguson, Visiting Fellow at the UK’s Cranfield School of Management have calculated the total costs associated with these conditions at €636-637bn per year.  This is likely to be an underestimate for several reasons, including the fact that many EU health cost figures are not available for the conditions identified. Only a proportion of the costs of endocrine-related health problems can be attributed to exposure to EDCs. Major contributory causes include genetics and lifestyle factors, such as diet, smoking or insufficient physical activity. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that the ‘environmental burden of disease’ from chemicals is likely to be underestimated because of lack of data.

A recent US study put the contributory proportion of just one EDC (Bisphenol A (BPA)), through one exposure pathway (BPA leaching from food packaging into food), and to one condition (childhood obesity) at 1.8%.  It therefore seems reasonable to assume that the proportion for all EDC exposures might be between 2-5%. A 5% contribution to endocrine-related conditions from EDC exposure would be equivalent to approximately €31 billion per year for all 28 EU countries. Evidence linking hormone-mimicking chemicals to human health problems has grown stronger over the past decade, according to a report last year from the WHO. As the highest international health authority, WHO clearly concludes that human exposure to EDCs now represents a "global threat" that should be addressed.

HEAL Executive Director, Genon K Jensen said: “A proportion of the spiralling rates of endocrine-related health problems seen in Europe today are probably caused by exposure to synthetic chemicals that end up in our bodies and disrupt our hormones. The EU should put health first and phase out these substances. Swift action could avoid massive human suffering and perhaps as much as €31 billion in health costs and lost productivity each year. HEAL is calling for all EU laws to be overhauled to reduce people’s exposures to EDCs. The EU should also set out a specific timetable by which EDCs must be identified and substituted for safer alternatives.

"A year ago, we were expecting the European Commission to propose a package of EDC policies, including a new strategy for tackling EDCs. We were also expecting a proposal for identification criteria so that the EU pesticide and biocide laws which prohibit EDCs could begin to work. We are still waiting for the package.

"As the science about the negative health impacts of EDCs continues to mount, some EU countries are moving ahead in restricting these hormone disrupting chemicals. Sweden is legally challenging the Commission’s delay. France is also pushing for urgent action. Following the announcement of its own national strategy on EDCs, the French delegation at the Council of Ministers meeting last week drew attention to the risks posed by EDCs – a move that was supported by five other countries.  So long as real action on exposure reduction is delayed, people continue to pay the bill with unnecessary ill-health.”

The EU has already taken some limited regulatory action on EDCs on a precautionary basis. For example, EU law has prohibited BPA in the plastic feeding bottles for babies since 2011, and some European countries have installed other national restrictions on EDCs. Where regulatory action to protect or improve health has been taken in the past - even if there was not 100% scientific proof of harm - hindsight and further science has shown it to be justified.  Examples include early controls on smoking, which were introduced before scientists were able to give a biological explanation of the causal link.

More information

1. Health costs in the EU: How much is related to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?
2. Berlaymont Declaration (2013) signed by 89 scientists.

Country Technical report figures: Total costs(€ Millions)
Austria 10,804
Belgium 14,083
Bulgaria 9,063
Croatia 5,212
Cyprus 1,213
Czech Republic 13,381
Denmark 7,051
Estonia 183
Finland 6,972
France 82,634
Germany 101,714
Greece 14,038
Hungary 12,612
Ireland 5,772
Italy 75,452
Latvia 2,558
Lithuania 3,808
Luxembourg 653
Malta 510
Netherlands 21,141
Poland 48,638
Portugal 13,367
Romania 25,070
Slovak Republic 6,327
Slovenia 2,554
Spain 58,914
Sweden 12,125
UK 80,641
Total 636,500
 

 

Cost estimates of possible EDC-related contribution to endocrine-related diseases and conditions by country by HEAL estimate

County HEAL figures for 5% contribution to costs of endocrine related diseases that may be the result of exposure to EDCs. HEAL estimates (€ millions)
Austria 540.20
Belgium 704.15
Bulgaria 453.15
Croatia 260.60
Cyprus 60.65
Czech Republic 669.05
Denmark 352.55

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