Until recently, endosulfan was one of the most widely used pesticides  Some others -- toxaphene, dieldrin, and chlordane -- were banned or restricted in many countries in the 1980s but linger in the environment  All four have a weak effect individually in increasing estrogen levels in women  Scientists have found, however, that their potential to cause health hazards increases dramatically when the chemicals are combined  For example, a mixture of endosulfan and dieldrin had 160 to 1, 600 times more estrogen-boosting potency than either chemical did individually
Increased estrogen is associated with an increased cancer risk in women
Pesticides that boost estrogen levels are more dangerous than others.