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Neuroendocrine Disruptors and Micro-Nanoplastics in Low-Resource Settings: Emerging Threats to Environmental and Human Health.
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This review pulls together existing research on how everyday chemicals, including microplastics, pesticides, and compounds found in plastics like BPA, can disrupt our hormones and nervous system, with a spotlight on communities that lack strong waste management and pollution regulations. These exposures appear most risky for pregnant women, babies, and children, potentially affecting brain development, fertility, and metabolism. The takeaway: where you live and how waste is managed can significantly shape your chemical exposure, making better regulation and monitoring tools (including AI-based plastic detection) important priorities for protecting public health.
Neuroendocrine Disruptors (NEDs) are increasingly recognized as a significant environmental and public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings where environmental contamination and inadequate waste management may increase human exposure. NEDs include a heterogeneous group of exogenous chemicals capable of interfering with hormonal and neurotransmitter systems, thereby altering neuroendocrine regulation and potentially affecting multiple physiological processes. This review examines the main sources of exposure to NEDs in populations living in low-resource environments, with particular attention to micro- and nanoplastics, pesticides, bisphenols, phthalates, and dioxins. Evidence from experimental and epidemiological studies indicates that these contaminants may influence neurodevelopment, reproductive health, metabolic regulation, and immune function. Vulnerable populations—including pregnant women, fetuses, children, and occupationally exposed workers—appear particularly susceptible to the effects of NED exposure. In addition, environmental pathways such as contaminated water, food products, cosmetics, and electronic waste represent important routes of human exposure, especially in regions characterized by rapid industrialization and limited regulatory oversight. The review also discusses the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in monitoring and mitigating exposure to neuroendocrine disruptors. Finally, emerging strategies aimed at reducing environmental contamination are explored, including improved waste management policies, preventive public health measures, and the potential application of artificial intelligence technologies for the rapid detection of nano-microplastics in consumer products. Strengthening research capacity and environmental health policies in low-resource settings is essential to reduce exposure and protect vulnerable populations.
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This review pulls together existing research on "endocrine disruptors", chemicals found in everyday products (including micro- and nanoplastics) that can interfere with hormones, and how they affect children, who are especially vulnerable because their bodies and brains are still rapidly developing. The research suggests these chemicals may disrupt growth, brain development, and puberty, and some effects might even be passed down to future generations, though more studies are still needed to fully confirm this. The takeaway: since these chemicals are nearly impossible to completely avoid, understanding and reducing exposure during pregnancy and childhood could matter for long-term health.
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This review summarizes how chemicals released from plastics, known as endocrine disruptors, can interfere with the body's hormone systems. Common substances like BPA and phthalates mimic or block hormones, contributing to obesity, diabetes, reproductive problems, and developmental issues in children. Micro- and nanoplastics make the problem worse because they can release these hormone-disrupting chemicals inside the body after being ingested or inhaled.
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