IS YOUR HOME MESSING WITH YOUR HEALTH?

The hidden toxic dangers lurking in your cupboards - and how to ditch them

- MELANIE HANCILL

Forget burglars and the bogeyman, the real baddies are already inside your house, and they could be wreaking havoc on your health.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, are a hot topic right now because they have been linked to declining fertility rates and the increasing incidence of hormone-sensitive cancers. But what exactly are they, and how do we avoid them?

EDCs are synthetic or man-made chemicals that can block or mimic the action of hormones. This interferes with the balance of our endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating many biological processes in the body.

"EDCs affect the natural functioning of our hormones and their feedback mechanisms," says Grace Kingswell, a nutritional therapist who specialises in fertility (gracekingswell.com). These days, it's hard to get away from them - especially around Easter time when we typically embark on the big "spring clean". From cosmetics in the bathroom cabinet to cleaning products under the sink, they're in almost every corner of your home.

"[EDCs] are in a variety of products such as plastics, cosmetics, food, toys, clothing, cleaning products, furnishings and electronics," says Christina Hawkes, founder of the natural cleaning brand Greenscents.

Studies - including one from the Endocrine Society, co-produced with the International Pollutants Elimination Network - show that exposure to these toxins can have an impact on female reproduction. They have highlighted girls starting puberty earlier and menopause symptoms getting worse, as well as conditions like endometriosis.