Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and autoimmune diseases

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) widely exist in people's production and life which have great potential to damage human and animal health. Over the past few decades, growing attention has been paid to the impact of EDCs on human health, as well as immune system. So far, researchers have proved that EDCs (such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalate, tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), etc.) affect human immune function and promotes the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases (ADs). Therefore, in order to better understand how EDCs affect ADs, we summarized the current knowledge about the impact of EDCs on ADs, and elaborated the potential mechanism of the impact of EDCs on ADs in this review. •Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are a new environmental factor, which has gradually attracted people's attention.•EDCs is association with autoimmune diseases (ADs). Most EDCs might be potential risk factors for ADs.•Exposure to EDCs will lead to endocrine system disorder, imbalance of immune system, inflammation and DNA damage.