Epigenetic Toxicology of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Mechanisms, Transgenerational Effects, and Human Health Implications

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that threaten human and environmental health by interfering with hormonal signalling. A growing body of research indicates that EDCs have long-lasting biological effects through epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone changes, and non-coding RNA regulation, in addition to traditional receptor-mediated toxicity. These processes, which are especially important during delicate developmental windows like embryogenesis and the early postnatal period, control gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. The present understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms that support EDC toxicity is summarised in this review, with a focus on how these mechanisms interact with endocrine signalling pathways. Exposure to EDCs has been demonstrated to cause oxidative stress, damage chromatin architecture, and modify the activity of epigenetic enzymes, all of which result in long-lasting alterations in gene expression. According to new findings from epidemiological and experimental research, these changes may persist over generations and contribute to hormone-dependent, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, and reproductive diseases. The study also emphasises the increasing importance of epigenetic biomarkers in illness prediction and exposure assessment, such as circulating non-coding RNAs and DNA methylation signals. Enhancing risk assessment and public health initiatives requires incorporating epigenetic endpoints into toxicological and regulatory frameworks. All things considered, comprehending the epigenetic underpinnings of EDC action offers vital insights into the genesis of disease and facilitates the creation of more successful environmental health regulations.