Highlights
•
Parabens (PBs) were ubiquitously detected in the environment.
•
PBs were found in human urine, serum, milk, placental tissue and breast tumor tissue.
•
In vivo studies suggest that PBs' impact on the organisms is generally low.
•
Urinary PBs were correlated with oxidative stress, DNA damage or thyroid hormones.
•
PBs may be involved in breast cancer development.