A recent study indicates that providing individuals with personalized reports on their exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can effectively reduce their contact with these substances. The research, conducted by a team from Million Marker and the University of Nevada and supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), measured participants’ EDC levels through urinalysis and offered tailored advice on minimizing exposure. The findings, published in July 2024, highlight the potential of improved environmental health literacy in mitigating risks associated with EDCs.
Study Details and Findings
The research team recruited participants from the Healthy Nevada Project, a population health and genetics study involving 50,000 Nevada residents. Million Marker, a company specializing in direct-to-consumer urine tests for EDCs, analyzed urine samples for bisphenols (including Bisphenol-A), phthalates, parabens, and oxybenzone. Participants received personalized reports detailing potential health effects, sources of exposure, and recommendations for reducing contact with identified EDCs.
Jenna Hua, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., founder and CEO of Million Marker, emphasized the significance of direct-to-consumer testing: "The direct-to-consumer mail-in urine tests can help people see the biomarkers of exposures to harmful EDCs, such as the more well-known type, bisphenol A." She also expressed hopes to expand screening for EDCs and report-back initiatives.
The study involved 56 Healthy Nevada Project enrollees who completed surveys assessing their environmental health literacy, readiness to change behavior, and digital literacy. Urine samples were analyzed to determine EDC levels, and participants received personalized reports aimed at increasing their understanding of EDCs. A second round of urine tests and surveys was conducted to assess the impact of the intervention.
Impact on EDC Exposure and Health Literacy
Results indicated that participants found the provided information helpful and feasible for reducing EDC exposure. Notably, women were more likely than men to report plans to change or current changes in behavior to reduce exposures. However, some participants felt their chemical exposures were not harmful enough to warrant behavior change.
"Perhaps the report-back of results reinforced to some participants that they were not exposed to a high number of harmful EDCs, or that the understanding of the health effects of EDCs were not sufficient to warrant behavior change," Hua reflected. "Either way, the reasons behind the differences here between men and women are unclear, so it is a point that we would like to explore with further research."
Importantly, the study found that all participants experienced reduced urine levels of phthalates after receiving their initial test results and educational materials. The majority of participants also reported that the digital resources were easy to use and the report-back materials were easy to understand.
Future Directions
The research team is currently expanding the study to include a larger number of participants in a randomized clinical trial. They are also developing an environmental health literacy education and coaching curriculum to further promote understanding and behaviors that reduce exposure to EDCs. This ongoing work aims to solidify the role of personalized feedback and education in mitigating the health risks associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
