Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors in Pregnancy and Early Childhood: 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, concerns about adverse health effects on infants, toddlers, and children after they are exposed to endocrine disruptors or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have steadily increased. Pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and children are the most vulnerable populations. World Health Organization (WHO) is continuously focused on children’s environmental health. The WHO drew up various global action plans concerning children’s and pregnant women’s health and environment. EDCs, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (i.e., dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)), phthalates, bisphenol-A, nonylphenols, parabens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), lead, cadmium, and mercury, are mostly man-made or inadvertent pollutants that are found in various materials or as contaminants in food and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). PM_2.5 is also a new issue that has come to be associated with young children’s health and particularly with autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prenatal and postnatal exposure to EDCs may cause physiological, developmental, or neurobehavioral damage; the alteration of male or female reproductive function; an increased incidence of breast cancer; and the alteration of thyroid and sex steroid hormone secretion. Pregnant women and children are exposed to EDCs through dietary (i.e., food) and non-dietary pathways, such as the ingestion of indoor dust and drinking water, the inhalation of gas and particulate matter, and via skin. EDCs also can be transferred from mothers to their offspring via the placenta or breast milk. This Special Issue is focused on mothers’ exposure to EDCs during pregnancy; infants or children with prenatal or postnatal exposure to EDCs; the health effects, including diseases, associated with EDCs during these periods; the monitoring of EDCs in indoor environments for pregnant women and children; and the education of mothers, doctors, nurses, or students regarding pregnancy and childhood exposure to EDCs. Considering emerging EDCs with possible negative impacts on the developing fetus, the publication of related in vivo studies will also be encouraged in this Special Issue. 

Prof. Dr. How-Ran Chao
Prof. Dr. Shu-Li Wang
Dr. Liang-Jen Wang
Prof. Dr. Ming-Hsien Tsai
Guest Editors

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• endocrine disruptors
• PM2.5
• pregnancy
• childhood
• neurodevelopment
• autism
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• reproduction
• breast milk
• indoor environment
• education or policies concerning EDCs

• Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors in Pregnancy and Early Childhood in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (5 articles)