From an article published on the Pew Charitable Trust blog (please see sources below).

Key Points

• Our endocrine systems help control the hormones in our bodies that are essential to many functions, from reproduction and puberty to metabolism and immunity. We depend on our hormonal systems all day every day.
• Most Americans adults have been exposed to at least one chemical known to disrupt the way our body manages our hormones because they have ingested them, inhaled them, or they have been absorbed through their skin. These kinds of chemicals are known as "endocrine disrupting chemicals" or EDCs.
• EDC chemicals have been linked to an array of health effects, including infertility, low birth weight and preterm birth, diabetes, heart disease, and hormone-related cancers.

The kinds of chemicals that can disrupt your hormones are often found in three families (also called "classes") of chemicals that include bisphenols (e.g. BPS, BPS, etc.), phthalates (e.g. DBP, DMP, DEP, etc.) and fluorinated compounds (e.g. PFAS, etc.). They are found in many places including: 

• Food, food packaging, and farmland
• Drinking water
• Children’s toys and baby products
• Cosmetics and personal care products
• Construction materials
• Clothing

What you can do about it

Many trustworthy certifications restrict the use of these chemicals including EWG Verified and Made Safe, among others. Choosing fragrance free personal care products, avoiding grease-proof food packaging, and avoiding plastic baby products are a few ways you can help reduce exposures for your family. Supporting stronger state and federal laws will reduce the use of these kinds of toxic chemicals in household products and help reduce their prevalence in nature, including in our drinking water. We'll continue to research companies and update this blog when we have some Recommended companies.

Posted by Pew on 1/15/26: https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2026/01/15/how-are-people-exposed-to-harmful-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals