Listening to Shanna H. Swan, the average European shopper would
probably look twice at daily consumption and eating habits to
detect exposure to toxic chemicals. Over her decades-long
career, the PhD researcher and doctor has specialised on
endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) – a group of substances
often described as "gender benders" because they affect the
reproductive system. "Certain EDCs – and I’ve looked
specifically at pesticides, phthalates and Bisphenol A – are
significantly related to human development, more strongly when
exposure is foetal," Swan told EurActiv in an interview. The US
scientist often calls EDCs "stealth chemicals" because they
cannot be traced as easily as other substances related for
example to smoking or pharmaceuticals where you can ask the
person about their consumption. Endocrine disruptors come in
many guises and therefore have to be traced back in urine or
blood samples. Some phthalates like DEHP for instance are added
to plastic tubes in order to make them softer. For cons