A Small Dose of Persistent Endocrine Disruptors

• An Introduction to the Health Effects of Endocrine Disruptors

Ancient Greek Athletes - "The Greek physician Galen is reputed to have prescribed 'the rear hooves of an Abyssinian ass, ground up, boiled in oil, and flavored with rose hips and rose petals' to improve performance."

Endocrine Disruptors Dossier

Name: Endocrine Disruptors

• Use: wide range of chemicals, pesticides, plastics, flame retardants, medicine
• Source: synthetic chemistry, plants
• Recommended daily intake: none (not essential)
• Absorption: intestine, respiratory system (lungs), skin
• Sensitive individuals: fetus and children
• Toxicity/symptoms: endocrine system, mimic estrogen, anti-estrogenic, effects on hormone levels, sexual characteristics, reproduction, developmental effects
• Regulatory facts: FDA and EPA are reviewing
• General facts: billions of pounds used every year in wide range of products
• Environmental: widely distributed in environment and can affect wild life
• Recommendations: minimize use, avoid exposure to children, and consider alternatives

Persistent Environmental Contaminants Chapter

• A Small Dose of Endocrine Disruptors - chapter pdf

PowerPoint presentation

• A Small Dose of Endocrine Disruptors - PowerPoint presentation (0.5 mgb)

Potential Endocrine Disruptors

Major Glands and Examples of Hormones and Function

More Information and References

European, Asian, and international Agencies

• European Union - Chemical and Pesticide Information. (accessed: 30 September 2008).
  Site contains policy and other information on the use of pesticides in agriculture.

• World Health Organization - WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES). (accessed: 30 September 2008).
  WHOPES is an "international programme which promotes and coordinates the testing and evaluation of new pesticides proposed for public health use."

• International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS). (accessed: 30 September 2008).
  "IPSC main roles are to establish the scientific basis for safe use of chemicals, and to strengthen national capabilities and capacities for chemical safety."

North American Agencies

• NTP-CERHR Monograph on the Potential Human Reproductive and Developmental Effects of Bisphenol-A. (accessed: 23 May 2009).

• US EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP)|http://www.epa.gov/endo/]. (accessed: 15 June 2009).
  Describes the program, efforts to develop the screening test, and prioritization of chemicals to be tested.

• US National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health - Endocrine Disruptors. (accessed: 23 May 2009).
  Provides an overview of endocrine disruptors and recent research.

Non-Government Organizations

• The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, Inc. (TEDX). (accessed: 23 May 2009).
  A non-profit organization that compiles and disseminates information on the health effects of endocrine disruptors.

• The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, Inc. (TEDX) - Critical Windows of Development (Prenatal Origins of Endocrine Disruption). (accessed: 23 May 2009).
  "Critical Windows of Development is a timeline of how the human body develops in the womb, with animal research showing when low-dose exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals during development results in altered health outcomes."

• Natural Resources Defense Council - Endocrine Disruptors. (accessed: 9 June 2009).
  General information on endocrine disruptors.

References

• Colborn, T, vom Saal, FS, and Soto, AM. (1993) Developmental Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Wildlife and Humans. Environmental Health Perspectives, 101(5), p 378-384, October 1993. http://www.ehponline.org/docs/1993/101-5/colborn-abs.html (access: 1 June 2009).

• Birnbaum, LS and Fenton, SE. (2003). Cancer and Developmental Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors. Environmental Health Perspectives 111(4), p 389-396, April 2003. http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2003/5686/abstract.html (access: 15 June 2009).

• Howdeshell, KL. (2002). A Model of the Development of the Brain as a Construct of the Thyroid System. Environmental Health Perspectives Supplements 110(3), June 2002. http://www.ehponline.org/members/2002/suppl-3/337-348howdeshell/howdeshell-full.html. (access: 15 June 2009).