The endocrine system is made up of 4 main glands: the pituitary gland (located in the brain), the thyroid gland (located at the base of the neck), the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) and the gonads (testicles in men and ovaries in women).

This system controls all our vital functions from digestion, sleep, growth, development of the nervous system or reproduction, heart function or breathing.

This system is made up of complex cogs, all interdependent, but also extremely fragile

We hear more and more about endocrine disruptors and who doesn't have someone around him or her who suffers from hypo- or hyperthyroidism, burn-out, depression, difficulties in having a child or even diabetes?

These problems, whose symptoms, manifestations and consequences are very different, nevertheless have a common origin: the disruption of the endocrine system or the neuro-endocrine system.

Even if the origins of these different disorders, which often appear insidiously, are still poorly understood, there are many hypotheses that are becoming more and more valid. One of them is endocrine disruptors.

We find that among the endocrine disruptors, there are a huge number of chlorinated, fluorinated and brominated products. This is easily explained by the fact that in the Mendeleiev table, fluorine, chlorine and bromine belong to the category of halogens like iodine and that they all have an atomic weight lower than iodine, they can very easily take its place in case of iodine deficiency. This blocks or reduces the function of the thyroid gland. This gland is very important because it secretes vital hormones. If it no longer functions or if its secretions are insufficient, the entire cortico-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is affected. And this axis governs all the functions essential to life.

Chlorine is found in tap water, but so are nitrates, lead and aluminum deposits from pipes and in some countries fluoride, which demineralizes bones, teeth and weakens intellectual faculties. City water also contains other endocrine disruptors, including pesticide residues and plastic piping.

The water is treated with chlorine-based antibacterial products and also antibiotics that have the same destructive effect on the intestinal flora.

Boiling tap water removes some of the toxicity (microbes, bacteria), but it concentrates some other undesirable elements. The amount of chlorine remains almost the same. Limescale turns into tartar when heated (white deposit in pots). This tartar is also deposited in our body.

Among the most common chlorinated products, there is bleach

Often used to bleach, clean and disinfect, it is harmful to us and to our beautiful planet. The chemical name of this molecule is sodium hypochlorite. It is still commonly found in our household cleaning products even though scientists agree that chlorinated products are harmful. While one-time exposure to sodium hypochlorite may cause only mild burns or irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, repeated contact with high concentrations can cause much more serious health problems.

Dioxin is also an organochlorine compound produced from a combination of chlorine and other organic compounds. This chemical molecule used in Agent Orange during the Vietnam war is a defoliant that leaves very long-lasting traces in nature and in water. Plants that have been treated with organochlorine products are fed as fodder to animals. Dioxins and other chlorinated molecules are stored mainly in the fatty tissues of animals and humans. These same animals will provide us with the milk or meat that we will eat, meat and milk that contain traces of these pollutants in their fatty parts.

Dioxin, the organochlorine compound produced from a combination of chlorine and organic compounds, is excessively widespread as it is used as a bleaching agent for diapers, paper towels and tissues, sanitary napkins, cotton swabs or makeup remover, coffee filters, tea bags... In the commercial production of these products, chemical reactions release chlorine gas atoms from chlorine dioxide molecules during the bleaching process. This chlorine gas releases dioxin. Although the new bleaching methods reduce the amount of dioxins generated, they do not eliminate them completely.

Remember that most bleached products are used on very permeable areas of the body where the skin is delicate and thin or near mucous membranes (eyes, ears, mouths, nose, babies' buttocks, vaginal mucosa, etc.).

Dioxin accumulates particularly in female and infant fatty tissue, but also in breast milk. It is also eliminated through this milk and crosses the placental barrier (a real toxin filter). It therefore contaminates the fetus during pregnancy and the breast-fed infant. These small beings whose nervous and immune systems are still immature and developing are much more vulnerable and sensitive to toxins. The thyroid is also particularly sensitive to chlorine. This gland is responsible for the myelination of axons and neurons and that this myelination continues after birth and is completed by 9 months of age. One can easily imagine the damage of chlorinated products and dioxin in particular on the growth of our toddlers' nervous systems. The highly persistent dioxin is also passed on from generation to generation.

Dioxin, the primary toxic component of Agent Orange, is considered by some researchers to be "the deadliest substance known to mankind" of which "one tablespoon would kill everyone on the planet"... sobering, no?

The hunt for synonyms on labels is on because chlorine hides under many complicated names. Thus trichloroethylene is used in the field of textiles, for inks (printers and photocopiers) and varnishes. Dichloromethane or methylene chloride is frequently found in household cleaning products and plant protection products. It is also used for coating pharmaceutical tablets and for decaffeinating tea and coffee. Perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene are present in sanitary and textile degreasers. Finally, chlorobenzene is very frequently used as a solvent for paints.

To avoid the devastating endocrine disruptor that is chlorine, consider turning to environmentally friendly products to decorate your home. But also avoid tampons and sanitary napkins. There are currently very practical silicone cups that will also save you a lot of money in the long run.

For babies, there are eco-friendly diapers and others that can be recycled without any harm

For home maintenance, vinegar, lemon and essential oils will sanitize your home as effectively, more ecologically and economically than bleach, but without any toxicity for you, your children or the planet.