Beyond the label: the hidden world of endocrine disruptors in everyday products and their effects on personal and public health
Mayukh BHATTACHARYYA, Amelia BHATTACHARYA, Charles WATSON and Venkatram NEEVANandHAKRISHNAN
This workshop introduces the concept of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—compounds that closely resemble our hormones but pose significant risks to human health. These ubiquitous chemicals are found in everyday products such as plastics, cosmetics and food packaging. While often overlooked on ingredient lists, EDCs and other toxics have far-reaching health consequences, contributing to conditions such as cancer, diabetes or obesity, amongst others, as well as affecting wildlife and disrupting ecosystems. This workshop emphasizes the importance of transparency in ingredient lists, calling for better public awareness and regulatory measures to mitigate the harmful effects of these hidden poisons. Understanding the true meaning behind everyday products' ingredient lists is crucial to protect public health and avoid paying the hidden costs of EDC exposure.To identify EDCs and other toxics components. To understand their effects in human and public health To foster informed choices to minimize the exposure and the impact on planetary health.In a highly interactive setting with different stations, participants will uncover the ubiquity of EDCs and other toxic chemicals, through a dynamic escape-room structure. Working in groups, attendees will work together to solve puzzles, answer question games, match cards and analyse different products and their components. Workshop schedule: After a short introduction, participants will work in groups in different stations, learning in each step about the ubiquity of EDCs and the potential risks for human and planetary health. There will be time to reflect on the leant concepts at the end. References of updated scientific evidence and take-home materials will be provided.Attendees will learn to identify EDCs and other toxic components, their health effects, and strategies for reducing exposure.As primary care doctors, we must not forget about our communities health as a whole. We promise this workshop will inevitably change the way you live, think, and make choices. Are you ready to unveil the “ugly truth”? Come and join us!
