Recommendations for reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors
As endocrine disruptors (ED) are present in many everyday items, it is virtually impossible to avoid them completely. However, it is possible to reduce your exposure by following some straightforward advice.
Food and food contact materials
Food contact materials
Only articles and materials designed for this purpose should come into contact with food.
They are generally marked with the following symbol:
- Consult the instructions for use of food contact materials and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Do not exceed the maximum temperatures, powers or cooking times specified by the manufacturer.
- Silicone baking moulds should always be heated, with no contents, at 200°C (or at the maximum recommended temperature) and then rinsed before first use.
- A container should not be used to store highly salted and/or acidic products (e.g. lemons or pickled gherkins) if this is specifically indicated on the packaging or in the instructions for use of the container. For products of this type, a glass container should be used instead.
- Dishes, containers and cooking utensils should be replaced if they are worn, damaged or scratched.
Use of microwave devices
Certain types of plastic or other materials may melt or release chemical substances when heated, especially if they are not suitable for food contact use. When using microwaves for heating up food, you must therefore follow the rules given below to prevent unwanted substances (including ED) from ending up in food:
In a microwave oven, only use kitchen utensils marked with a “microwave safe” symbol:
- Food should only be heated up in a microwave oven if it is packaged and labelled accordingly.
- Do not exceed the maximum temperatures, powers or cooking times specified by the manufacturer.
Food
- Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly with water before preparing them or eating them raw.
- Opt for homecooked food.
Cosmetic products
Follow the directions for use of each product (e.g. whether they need to be rinsed or not, how long they can be kept after opening).
- If possible, choose products with a short list of ingredients.
- Vary the brands and products used so as to avoid constant exposure to the same substances.
- Limit the use of cosmetic products for children. In any case, opt for cosmetics for adults in dedicated shops or departments (not in toy departments).
Sunscreen products
Only some UV filters are approved for use in sunscreens. The list of these substances is regularly updated. Details can be found on the FSVO page sunscreens (admin.ch).
For optimal protection, we recommend the following:
- Stay in the shade as much as possible. Exposure to the sun is to be preferred in the morning or late afternoon, so as to avoid the hours of most intense sunlight (11:00–15:00).
- In the sun, wear a hat, sunglasses and suitable clothing.
- Always keep babies and young children dressed and in the shade.
Use sunscreens offering protection against both UVB and UVA radiation on exposed areas of the body, and choose products marked with the UVA protection.
- Sunscreens should always be generously applied and reapplied regularly to maintain effective protection.
Toys
Read labels carefully and ensure that toys bear the CE mark (indicating that they comply with legal requirements concerning safety, health and the environment).
- Follow the instructions for use.
- Replace damaged teats and dummies.
- Purchase toys from trusted retailers or reliable online suppliers, based in Switzerland or the EU.
- Beware of tutorials for 'homemade' toys found on the internet or on social media platforms. The products used may contain substances that are not intended for skin contact and may produce toxic effects in children. For example, certain recipes suggest using detergent to make slime, but with prolonged skin contact, certain substances in detergents can cause contact dermatitis. It is therefore recommended that products should always be used for the purpose intended by the manufacturer.
- Follow the manufacturer’s age recommendations, especially for young children who tend to put toys in their mouths.
- Before giving a new toy to your child, where possible wash it in warm water. Before first use, fabric toys (stuffed animals, dolls) should be washed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Clothing and laundry
Wash new clothes before wearing them for the first time. This will remove any residues of substances used in the production process. Some of these substances may be endocrine disruptors and/or allergens.
- Also wash bed linen (sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases) before first use, and regularly thereafter.
- For detergent, follow the doses indicated by the manufacturer.
- Add an additional rince cycle in the case of sensitive skin or for baby bedding, and limit the use of fabric sofetener.
- Choose products containing few ingredients. Certain groups of ingredients, such as preservatives, disinfectants and fragrances must be expressly listed by the manufacturer on the packaging.
Cleaning products and DIY
Chemicals are hiding everywhere in our homes. Some are used so much that we forget how potentially toxic they may be. Among these, DIY materials, cleaning products, adhesives, varnishes and paints are all chemical products that require particular caution:
- Read the information on the label carefully when buying chemical products. The symbols and hazard warnings are particularly important. You can find all the information on the website infochim.ch.
- When you buy chemical products for your own use, it is important to read the technical information sheet and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations (e.g. wearing goggles and/or a mask when indicated).
- Keep products for cleaning and DIY out of the reach of children and in their original packaging.
- Regular cleaning with household products is usually sufficient to keep your home clean. In most cases, that is enough to avoid using several particularly strong, concentrated and/or aggressive chemical cleaning products.
- Never mix chemical products unless indicated (for example mixing bleach and descaling agent can release toxic gases that are harmful to health).
Online purchases
Consumers should be careful when buying items on foreign online shops and platforms. The legal requirements relating to product safety are equivalent in Switzerland and in the EU. It may be that online shops based in third countries (outside of Switzerland and the EU) offer products that do not comply with these strict requirements. These goods may therefore present a serious health risk. You can find more information on the FOPH website (Purchasing chemical products online) and the FSVO website (Buying foods online).
To limit this risk, we recommend the following:
- Opt for online shops based in Switzerland or the EU when ordering products (particularly food and food contact materials, cosmetic products, toys, and products designed for children).
- Be vigilant on social media with regard to recommended products and experiences shared in discussion forums as they are often disguised advertisements.
Indoor pollution
Household items contain numerous chemical substances e.g.:
- plastics,
- adhesives,
- varnishes,
- paints,
- flame retardants.
These substances may pollute our indoor environment either by spreading through the air or being deposited in the form of dust.
To reduce exposure to these substances, we recommend proceeding as follows:
Ventilation
- Rooms should be regularly and thoroughly aired: for 5–10 minutes, at least two or three times a day.
- Volatile organic compounds can accumulate in indoor air. Concentrations can be considerably reduced by regular airing.
- Higher concentrations of these substances are often released by new furniture, so it is even more important to air any rooms where furniture has been installed, particularly in the first few weeks. It is also particularly advisable to furnish a new bedroom a few weeks before a baby arrives, and to air the room often and regularly in the meantime.
- Exposure to chemicals is higher in newly built or renovated spaces: construction materials such as adhesives and paints contain highly volatile substances that evaporate rapidly during the first 2 to 4 weeks. Rooms need to be well aired after construction or renovation.
Dust
- House dust should be removed frequently as low-volatility substances can accumulate in it. Regular cleaning with a damp cloth will help keep dust levels to a minimum.
- Young children are particularly exposed to house dust, as they often play on the floor, crawling and putting things in their mouths. This means it is especially important to remove dust regularly in households with young children.
Other household pollutants
- Avoid smoking or vaping indoors.
- Eliminate odours by airing rather than using room fragrance products. Even essential oils, which are presented as a ‘natural’ alternative, are not automatically risk-free. Follow the hazard symbols and the instructions on the label.
- Take shoes off when entering the house to avoid bringing dirt in from outside which could potentially be contaminated with chemical products.
- If your home was built before 1990, be careful when carrying out renovations and consult experts before starting any work (more information is available (in German, French and Italian) at: Renovation: look out for dangerous substances).
Vehicle interiors
Inside a vehicle we are confined in an enclosed space, surrounded by materials made of plastic, foam and textiles. These materials constantly release chemical substances into the car interior, and in significantly greater quantities in the event of heat or sun exposure. On top of that, fragrances from deodorisers and sprays can rapidly reach high concentrations in the small space of a vehicle. To reduce exposure to these substances, we recommend:
- Use air conditioning on ‘outside air’ mode rather than ‘recirculation’ mode.
- When it's hot, air the vehicle before setting off by opening all the doors and lowering the windows for 2 to 5 minutes. Try to keep your vehicle in the shade.
- Regularly vacuum and wipe the vehicle interior with a damp cloth.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
In general, make sure you avoid exposure to chemical products as far as possible during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Avoid using non-essential products during this special period. Even essential oils, which are presented as a ‘natural’ alternative, may pose a danger and should be used sparingly.
- Notify your employer of your pregnancy as soon as possible to avoid exposure to chemicals in your workplace.
- Avoid taking part in any sort of work involving exposure to chemicals.
- Follow the advice given by your gynaecologist/obstetrician.
- Further information can be found on the FSVO website (Diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding) and SECO website (Maternity protection at the workplace).
Index
Further topics
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Chemical Products Division
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern