Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been detected in both breast milk and infant urine throughout the first six months of life, according to research presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago. The findings underscore that infants face early exposure to substances that can interfere with critical hormonal functions during sensitive developmental periods.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are synthetic or natural substances capable of altering the body’s hormone systems, with potential consequences for development, reproduction, and other physiological processes. The detection of these compounds across multiple biological sources raises important questions about the pathways through which infants encounter these substances.
This preliminary evidence highlights the need for further investigation into sources of exposure and strategies to minimize infant contact with hormone-disrupting chemicals during these vulnerable early months of life.
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