Bioaccumulation endocrine disruptors

REACH introduces the concept of adequate control in EU chemical law. Traditionally, the term adequate control has been used to refer to good practice in the workplace. REACH now redefines adequate control in the form of risk management measures detailed in an exposure scenario necessary for the control of hazardous properties. Through a set of systematic procedures, risk management measures must be selected to reduce exposure below which adverse effects to human health or the environment are likely to occur (i.e., a DNEL, DMEL or PNEC). There is debate as to whether a concept of a safe level of exposure reduction, similar to adequate control, can apply to non-threshold carcinogens and mutagens, endocrine disruptors, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or VPVB substances (e.g., [270]). Industry may need to demonstrate that exposure to these substances is always avoided or minimised, as specified in Annex I of the REACH Regulation. 

To understand the history, meaning, and importance of persistent and bioaccumulative pollutants and endocrine disruptors which present major environmental and health threats. 

Wastewater from pharmaceutical industries producing these therapeutics may allow introduction of these endocrine disruptors into the ecosystem if proper filtration is not employed. Moreover, the conjugated products excreted in urine and feces from individuals receiving these pharmaceuticals also can be introduced into the wastewater supply. There are few published results regarding bioaccumulation and biotransformation of estrogen-like pharmaceutics released into the ecosystem. 

BDE-47 is one of the main PBDE congers found in both environmental samples and human tissue, and is undergoing considerable research. It is biologically persistent, and has a high bioaccumulation potential. It is under investigation as an endocrine disruptor and studies for human health concerns are on going. 

One of the major environmental problems with organotins is that they accumulate in sediments, which are the ultimate environmental sinks for contaminants such as this. Many aquatic organisms, such as oysters and mussels, suffer from buildup of toxic levels of these contaminants because they are filter feeders and thus bioaccumulate these contaminants as a result of this. Significant malformation and growth retardation has been observed in aquatic organisms following exposure to organotin species and compounds such as tributyltin are suspected endocrine disruptors. 

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