The endocrine system, which exists in all mammals, birds, fish and many other living organisms, co-ordinates and regulates the release of hormones. However, in the environment, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can cause significant harm, as in the definition by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as “substances in our environment, food and consumer products that can disrupt hormonal balance in humans and wildlife and result in adverse health effects.”
