Endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorooctanoic acid, among others, are substances that don't behave in the same way as the old substances we were working on.
These substances mimic hormones and can have effects, even if they are found at very low doses. Their effects also depend on what we call the window of vulnerability. For example, if someone my age is exposed to these substances, the effects won't be the same for them as for a young person or a child still in the womb.
What's important to remember is that, when we want to manage these substances and do risk assessment or risk management, we can't take into account all the exposure. This can be done for the use of cosmetics, for example, as was mentioned earlier. We can indeed have standards or restrictions for a use, but these substances are used in so many different products that they are part of our everyday objects. In other words, they are everywhere.
It's important to know that most of these substances didn't exist 40, 50 or 60 years ago. Now every being on the planet, including polar bears, has them in their blood and urine, which isn't normal. We must ensure that we're protected from global exposure.