| There is mounting concern in the scientific, environmental,
private, and governmental sectors concerning a wide range of
substances, known as endocrine disruptors, that have the potential
to interfere with the normal functioning of a living organism's
hormone system. Endocrine disruption has the potential to compromise
proper development in organisms, leading to reproductive, behavioral,
immune system and neurological problems, as well as the development
of cancer. Effects often do not show up until later in life.
Chemicals that mimic or antagonize the female hormone estrogen,
the male hormone testosterone as well as thyroid hormones
are currently receiving the most attention. All three hormone
groups are needed to support life in humans and other mammals
as well as amphibians, fish, birds, and reptiles. Possible
effects on invertebrates also are receiving attention. In
order to manage fish and wildlife populations for the American
people, the Fish and Wildlife Service addresses the risks
and effects of industrial organic pollutants, metals and pesticides,
including those that may possess endocrine activity, on the
natural resources of the country.
Links:
Center for Bioenvironmental Research of Tulane and Xavier
Universities New Orleans, Louisiana: Environmental Estrogens
and Other Hormones http://www.tmc.tulane.edu/ECME/eehome/
National
Academy of Sciences: Research Needed to Reduce Scientific
Uncertainty About Effects of Hormonally Active Agents in the
Environment
National Academy of Science Report: Read and Order Information-
Hormonally Active Agents in the Environment - July 1999 http://books.nap.edu/books/0309064198/html/
EPA Multi-Stakeholder Federal Advisory Committee Act panel
- Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee
- Final Report http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/history/
Endocrine Disruptor Working Group of the National Science
and Technology Council's (NSTC) Committee on the Environment
and Natural Resources (CENR) - Endocrine Disruptor Research
Initiative
http://www.epa.gov/endocrine/
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Chemicals Programme Coordination of Endocrine Disrupters Assessment
Activities
HTTP://WWW.OECD.ORG/EHS/ENDOCRIN.HTM
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry - Books
on Endocrine Disruption http://www.setac.org/pubs.html
U.S. Geological Survey. Pesticides in the Hydrologic System:
National Water Quality Assessment Program http://ca.water.usgs.gov/pnsp/
US Geological Survey. Report on the potential for endocrine
disruption in fish from streams throughout the United States
http://ca.water.usgs.gov/pnsp/rep/carp2/
Updated: June 27, 2001
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