Scientists and researchers have identified plastic bottles to be dangerous to health because they contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that can cause cancer, diabetes, ADHD and autism.

They said endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the body’s hormonal system, affecting development and leaving the body open to a staggering range of diseases.

They are found in thousands of everyday products, ranging from plastic and metal food containers, to detergents, flame retardants, toys and cosmetics.

According to Daily Mail Online, these chemicals are responsible for scores of illnesses – costing the US an eye-watering $340 billion in health-related costs each year, the bombshell report by NYU Langone revealed.

(Read more at Daily Mail)

The most common EDC-related illness is neurological – including attention-ADHD, autism and loss of IQ.

The invisible but dangerous chemicals also boosted obesity, diabetes, some cancers, male infertility and a painful condition known as endometriosis, the abnormal growth of tissue outside the uterus.

In a country where plastic is rife, these illnesses are not as rare as we may think.

The landmark new study by NYU Langone reveals the economic impact of the chemicals leaves a huge, two per cent dent in the US’ gross domestic product (GDP) each year.

‘Our research adds to the growing evidence on the tremendous economic as well as human health costs of endocrine-disrupting chemicals,’ said lead investigator Leonardo Trasande, an associate professor at NYU Langone in New York City.

‘This has the potential to develop into a much larger health and economic issue if no policy action is taken,’ he told AFP.