Chemicals in the Water Still Bending Genders

Chemicals in the Water Are Bending Genders in Wildlife — Is It Happening to Us, Too?

As the world takes pause to recognize the importance, and often perilous state, of its water supply–from massive islands of plastic drifting in the ocean, to industrial runoff and poorly managed waste polluting lakes and rivers–it’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed. But, as disturbing the image of animal tangled in our discarded waste is, one less visible contaminant continues to wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems worldwide, and its implications are almost more troubling. For decades, substances found in many common products have found their into our planet’s water and are altering the hormones of wildlife until, in some cases, it changes their sex entirely–and the same thing may be happening to us.

Endocrin Disruptors Alter Hormone Levels

According to a recently published article in the journal Unesp Science, changes in the sexual organs and reproductive problems are being increasingly observed in various species around the world, and the culprits are endocrine disrupters. Such contaminants are found in some of the most common products, though their effects on wildlife is profound.

Full Story: Chemicals in the Water Still Bending Genders : TreeHugger.