endocrine disruptor

Meaning

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   A chemical that interferes with the body's hormone system, possibly causing health problems.

   Grammar: Countable: an endocrine disruptor, many endocrine disruptors.

   Patterns

   • exposure to endocrine disruptors

   Some plastics release an endocrine disruptor into food.

   Scientists study whether the pesticide is an endocrine disruptor.

   Pregnant women are often warned to avoid endocrine disruptors.

Word forms

Common combinations

exposure to endocrine disruptors

Exposure to endocrine disruptors may harm children.

a known endocrine disruptor

BPA is a known endocrine disruptor.

suspected endocrine disruptor

The chemical is a suspected endocrine disruptor.

endocrine disruptor in plastic

They found an endocrine disruptor in plastic bottles.

act as an endocrine disruptor

Some chemicals act as an endocrine disruptor.

Synonyms and how they differ

hormone disruptor

Hormone disruptor is a plain, less technical way of saying the same thing.

toxin

Toxin is a general poison and does not specifically affect hormones.

pollutant

Pollutant is a broad word for harmful substances in the environment.

Word family

endocrine adjective

relating to hormone-producing glands

disrupt verb

to interrupt or disturb

disruption noun

the act of disturbing something

endocrinology noun

the study of hormones

Commonly confused: endocrine disruptor or endocrinologist?

Practice

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