Uncovering the health risks of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Ana Claudia Zenclussen , Photo: Antje Gildemeister, Gildmeister Fotografie - News from An innovative European research project called ENDOMIX aims to uncover the hidden dangers of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and decipher their effects on human health. Funded with about €7 million and led by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the project will start on 1 January 2024. Initiated and coordinated by Professor Ana Zenclussen, "We are taking an ambitious, multidisciplinary approach that addresses the urgent need to investigate the consequences of exposure to EDCs and provide evidence for regulatory authorities and the public," says Ana Zenclussen. This information could help to promote health-conscious behaviour and potentially generate significant savings for European health systems. In a world where we are exposed to a wide range of chemicals on a daily basis, it is crucial that we understand how these substances can affect our health. EDCs are particularly insidious as they can disrupt hormonal processes in the body. ENDOMIX will investigate the associations and causality between EDCs and adverse health outcomes as well as the underlying mechanisms.