Chemical Exposures and their Common Sources
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
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
READ ABOUT CADMIUM AND OTHER METALS HERE
Antimicrobial Agents
Triclosan: Antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, hand sanitizers, deodorants, cutting boards, toys
Bisphenols
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
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid: Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food preservatives, personal care products. It is also a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in various plants, particularly in fruits like red huckleberries, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as vegetables such as onions, carrots, and common beans. It is also found in nuts, cocoa, tea, and in processed forms like wine and olive oil.
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
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
READ ABOUT UV FILTERS IN SUNSCREENS HERE
Phthalates
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
Phthalate metabolites are formed when the body breaks down phthalates and are an indicator of phthalate exposure.
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
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
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
READ ABOUT FLAME RETARDANTS HERE
PFAS chemicals
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
Types: Fact Sheet
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