In an article published on February 23, 2018 by The New York Times, columnist Nicholas Kristof reported on the various endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that consumers are exposed to via everyday products. Kristof explained that he has been trying to reduce his exposure to EDCs for many years by eating organic food to limit pesticides intake, storing food in glass containers and not plastic ones, avoiding to handle thermal paper receipts, and avoiding furniture that contains flame retardants. To see whether his efforts helped reduce EDC exposure, he sent two urine samples to non-profit organization Silent Spring Institute for analysis.
Kristof had low levels of bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), however high levels of bisphenol F (BPF, CAS 620-92-8), a common substitute for BPA. BPF is considered a ‘regrettable substitution’ because it may be similarly or even more harmful than BPA (FPF reported). Further, Kristof had average levels of antimicrobial agent triclosan (CAS 3380-34-5), possibly from soap or toothpaste, and high levels of flame retardant triphenyl phosphate (CAS 115-86-6), possibly from floor finish. “The steps I took did help,” Kristof concluded, but nonetheless deemed it difficult to impossible for consumers to adequately protect themselves.
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Nicholas Kristof (February 23, 2018). “What poisons are in your body?” The New York Times
