Is your house making you sick?

Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “Science Friction” program, interviewed by Anna Salleh for radio documentary and podcast on EDCs

Science Friction

Is your house making you sick? Endocrine disrupting chemicals

Could the everyday objects in your life be making you sick, fat or infertile?

Chemicals called endocrine disruptors have crept into plastic packaging, kid’s toys, detergents, building materials, even your favourite couch.

They can interact with your body’s hormonal system and some scientists are concerned about their impacts on your health.

But where’s the science at, and should you be concerned?

Science Friction takes you inside a family home in search of these biochemical tricksters…and beyond.
Household plastic objects Image: Getty Images: Zolnierek

This episode rounds off season 1 of Science Friction. We’ll be back with you in August.

Email your story ideas and suggestions to Natasha and the ABC Science team at sciencefriction (at) abc.net.au
Supporting Information

Guests

Professor Andrea Gore
Endocrinologist
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Texas, Austin
Editor-in-chief, journal of Endocrinology

Associate Professor Frederic Leusch
Environmental toxicologist
Research leader for Water Quality and Diagnostics
Smart Water Research Centre
Griffith University

Kelly Abeleven
Healthy home advocate

Professor Peter Sly
Pediatrician
Director, Children’s Health and Environment Program
Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Children’s Health and Environment
University of Queensland

Interview requests were made of Chemistry Australia (representing industry) and the Australian Federal Department of Health (representing regulators) for this program.

Photo: Child with bunny ear slippers on couch with dog looking sad Image: Public domain: Andrew Branch