2025 Campaign on Women and Chemicals: Women and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)

The issue of the impact of chemicals on women’s health is a matter of serious concern that has not yet received due attention. Despite growing global awareness of chemical safety, there remains a significant lack of gender-disaggregated data and research on how toxic substances specifically affect women’s health.

The type and level of chemical exposure differ between men and women due to variations in occupation, environment and social roles. Gender-specific responsibilities and social determinants strongly influence exposure patterns. For example, women working in agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing are often exposed to pesticides, disinfectants and other industrial chemicals. In addition, women’s traditional roles in household management, food preparation and caregiving increase their contact with cleaning agents, personal care products and food packaging materials that may contain hazardous substances.

Women are biologically more vulnerable to certain chemicals. Differences in body composition, hormonal function and metabolism can affect the way chemicals are absorbed by the body. This holds especially true for substances classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). 

AWHHE advocates for protection of women’s health from adverse effects of chemicals.