Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women during their lifetime, making it the second most common cancer among women. While genetics and lifestyle factors play important roles, mounting scientific evidence suggests that everyday chemical exposures may also contribute to breast cancer risk. Many of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors—substances that interfere with our body’s hormone systems, particularly estrogen, which plays a key role in breast cancer development.

This guide summarizes in which consumer sources one can find specific chemical exposures that may be linked to breast cancer risk. 

Heavy Metals

READ ABOUT CADMIUM AND OTHER METALS HERE

Lead: Old paint, plumbing fixtures, batteries, cosmetics, pottery glazes, ammunition, fishing weights

Arsenic: Pressure-treated wood, rice, groundwater, some pesticides, glass manufacturing

Cadmium: Rechargeable batteries, pigments, jewelry, toys, cigarettes, phosphate fertilizers

Aluminum: Cookware, food packaging, antiperspirants, antacids, baking powder, food additives

Antimicrobial Agents

Triclosan: Antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, hand sanitizers, deodorants, cutting boards, toys

READ ABOUT TRICOLSAN HERE

Bisphenols

READ ABOUT BISPHENOLS HERE

Bisphenol A: Plastic bottles, food cans (lining), thermal paper receipts, dental sealants, toys

Bisphenol S: BPA-free plastics, thermal paper, food packaging, water bottles

Parabens

READ ABOUT PARABENS HERE

4-Hydroxybenzoic acid: Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food preservatives, personal care products

Butyl paraben: Cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, makeup, deodorants, pharmaceuticals

Ethyl paraben: Personal care products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food products

Methyl Paraben: Cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, makeup, pharmaceuticals, food preservatives

Propyl paraben: Personal care products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods

UV Filters

READ ABOUT UV FILTERS IN SUNSCREENS HERE

4-hydroxybenzophenone: Sunscreens, cosmetics, hair products, nail polish, fragrances

Benzophenone-1: Sunscreens, cosmetics, fragrances, nail products, hair dyes

Benzophenone-3: Sunscreens, cosmetics, lip balms, nail polish, fragrances

Phthalates

READ ABOUT PHTHALATES HERE

Benzyl butyl phthalate: Vinyl flooring, adhesives, sealants, personal care products, toys

Cyclohexane-1,2: Plastics, personal care products, household items, toys

Di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate: Food packaging, plastic containers, children’s products, medical devices

Di-ethyl phthalate: Cosmetics, fragrances, personal care products, plastic items, toys

Di-methyl phthalate: Cosmetics, nail polish, hair sprays, insect repellents, plastics

Di-n-butyl phthalate: Nail polish, adhesives, printing inks, plastic products, cosmetics

Phthalate Metabolites

(formed when the body breaks down phthalates and are an indicator of phthalate exposure.

READ ABOUT PHTHALATES HERE

Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate: Food packaging exposure, plastic container use, personal care products

Mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate: Metabolite from phthalate exposure in consumer products

Mono-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate: Food packaging, plastic toys, personal care products, medical devices

Mono-benzyl phthalate: Personal care products, fragrances, vinyl products, toys

Mono-ethyl phthalate: Cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceutical products, plastics

Mono-isononyl-cyclohexane-1,2: Plastic products, personal care items, household products

Mono-methyl phthalate: Cosmetics, nail products, hair care, plastic items, pharmaceuticals

Mono-n-butylphthalate: Personal care products, cosmetics, nail polish, adhesives

Pesticides

READ ABOUT PESTICIDES HERE

5-Hydroxy-thiabendazole: Fungicide found in treated fruits and vegetables, food residues, agricultural products

Difenoconazole: Fungicide found in treated agricultural products, fruits, vegetables, grains

Hydroxy Tebuconazole: Fungicide found in agricultural residues in food, treated crops, lawn care products

Penconazole: Fungicide found in treated fruits, lawn care products, residential pest control

Pentachlorophenol: Fungicide found in wood preservatives, pressure-treated lumber, old pesticide residues

Propiconazole: Fungicide found in lawn care products, treated agricultural products, residential fungicides

Tebuconazole: Fungicide found in treated grains, fruits, lawn care products, residential fungicides

Tetraconazole: Fungicide found in treated agricultural products, fruits, ornamental plant treatments

Thiabendazole: Fungicide found in treated citrus fruits, post-harvest fruit treatments, food preservatives

Triflumizole: Fungicide found in treated agricultural products, ornamental plants, residential fungicides

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid: Herbicide found in lawn care products, weed killers, residential herbicides, treated areas

Atrazine: Herbicide found in contaminated groundwater, agricultural residues, lawn treatments

3-(Diethylcarbamoyl) benzoic acid: Herbicide found in agricultural residues, treated crops, environmental contamination

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide:  Insect Repellent found in DEET insect repellents, personal care products, outdoor gear

Carbaryl: Insecticide found in garden insecticides, flea control products, residential pest control

Carbofuran: Insecticide found in agricultural residues (restricted use), environmental contamination

Acetamiprid:  Neonicotinoid found in residential insecticides, garden products, pet flea treatments

Clothianidin:  Neonicotinoid found in treated agricultural products, residential insecticides, pet products

Imidacloprid: Neonicotinoid found in flea control products, garden insecticides, treated wood, pet treatments

Thiacloprid: Neonicotinoid found in garden insecticides, residential pest control, treated agricultural products

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol: Organo-chlorine found in wood preservatives, disinfectants, industrial solvents, contaminated water

Diethylphosphate: Organo-phosphate metabolite found in pesticide residues, agricultural products, environmental exposure

Dimethylphosphate: Organo-phosphate metabolite found in pesticide residues, treated agricultural products, environmental contamination

Chlorpyrifos: Organo-phosphate found in residential pest control (restricted), agricultural residues, treated products

Chlorpyrifos-methyl: Organo-phosphate found in agricultural residues, grain treatments, stored product protection

3,5,6-Trichloro-2-pyridinol:  Organo-phosphate metabolite from chlorpyrifos exposure metabolite, environmental contamination

4-Nitrophenol: Industrial chemicals found in pesticide metabolites, pharmaceutical products, dyes, leather products

Fipronil: Insecticide found in pet flea treatments, ant baits, residential pest control, agricultural products

Flupyradifurone: Insecticide found in treated agricultural products, residential insecticides, garden products

Fomesafen: Herbicide found in agricultural residues, treated crops, environmental contamination

Pyroxasulfone: Herbicide found in agricultural residues, treated crops, environmental exposure

3-Phenoxybenzoic:   Pyrethroid Metabolite found in insecticide residues, treated agricultural products, residential pest control

Flame Retardants

READ ABOUT FLAME RETARDANTS HERE

Bis phosphate: Electronics, furniture foam, textiles, building materials, automotive parts

Dibutyl phosphate: Electronics, furniture, textiles, automotive interiors, building materials

Diphenyl phosphate: Electronics, furniture foam, textiles, nail polish, automotive parts

Tetrabromobisphenol A: Electronics, circuit boards, textiles, building materials, automotive parts

Tributyl phosphate: Furniture foam, electronics, nail polish, hydraulic fluids, textiles

Triphenyl phosphate: Electronics, furniture foam, nail polish, textiles, automotive parts

Trisphosphate: Electronics, textiles, furniture, building materials, automotive components

PFAS chemicals

READ ABOUT PFAS HERE

Perfluoro-1-nonanesulfonate: Non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant textiles, firefighting foam

Perfluorodecanesulfonate: Non-stick products, food packaging, stain-resistant materials, cosmetics

Perfluorodecanoic acid: Non-stick cookware, food packaging, cosmetics, textiles, carpeting

Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid: Non-stick products, food packaging, stain-resistant textiles, firefighting foam

Perfluorohexane sulfonate: Non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant materials, cosmetics

Perfluorohexanoic acid: Non-stick products, food packaging, cosmetics, textiles, carpeting

Perfluorononanoic acid: Non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant textiles, cosmetics

Perfluorooctane sulfonate: Non-stick products, stain-resistant textiles, firefighting foam, food packaging

Perfluorooctanoic acid: Non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant materials, cosmetics

Perfluroundecanoic acid: Non-stick products, food packaging, textiles, cosmetics, carpeting

Perluoroheptanoic acid: Non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant textiles, cosmetics