Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a growing health hazard for humankind and respiratory health in particular. Such chemical compounds are present in the environment and food and may interfere with physiological processes through interference with functions of the endocrine system, making humans more susceptible to various types of diseases. This review aims to discuss the effects of EDCs on the respiratory system. Exposure to EDCs during fetal development and adulthood increases susceptibility to respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis. EDCs are both multiple and complex in the ways they can act. Indeed, these chemicals may induce oxidative stress, modify cell proliferation and differentiation, interfere with tissue repair, and modulate the inflammatory response. Moreover, EDCs may also break the integrity of the blood-air barrier, allowing noxious substances to penetrate into the lung and thus enhancing the opportunity for infection. In conclusion, the scientific evidence available tends to indicate that EDCs exposure is strongly linked to the initiation of respiratory disease. Further research will be important in discovering the underlying molecular mechanisms and devising preventive and therapeutic measures.
Keywords: COPD; asthma; blood–air barrier; endocrine disruptors; inflammation; lung health; oxidative stress; pulmonary fibrosis.