Quantifying EDC Emissions from Consumer Products: A Novel Rapid Method and Its Application for Systematic Evaluation of Health Impacts

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widely used
in consumer
products and have been associated with adverse public health outcomes
and significant economic costs. We developed a rapid chamber method
for measuring EDC emissions from consumer products, significantly
reducing the time to reach steady state from weeks or months to minutes
or hours. Using this method, we quantified EDC emissions from a wide
range of products, determined the emission–control parameters,
and established their relationship with the EDC content (Wf) and physicochemical properties. By incorporating Wf data from consumer product databases and applying
stochastic models, we systematically estimated emissions for 400 EDC-product
combinations and assessed the associated exposure and disease burden
for the U.S. population. Our results suggest that more than 60% of
these combinations could result in carcinogenic disability-adjusted
life years (DALYs) above the acceptable threshold. The overall disease
burden caused by EDCs in consumer products can be substantial, with
DALYs exceeding those associated with other pollutants, such as particulate
matter, in a worst-case scenario. This study provides a valuable tool
for prioritizing hazardous EDCs in consumer products, evaluating safer
alternatives, and formulating effective intervention strategies, thereby
supporting policymakers and manufacturers in making informed, sustainable
decisions.