Endocrine disrupting chemicals humans

Several recent expert reviews and workshops have discussed the effects of endocrine disruption on wildlife and especially invertebrate species. These include the EU workshop on the impact of endocrine disrupters on human health and wildlife (Weybridge, 1996), the lEH workshop (Leicester, May 1997), the Environment Agency Consultative report (January 1998) and the Tyndall Forum at the Royal Institution (February 1998). They have concluded that endocrine disruption may have far-reaching adverse consequences for biodiversity and the sustainability of natural ecosystems. More comprehensive bioassay systems are required to identify and assess chemicals alleged to produce endocrine modulating effects. 

Recently, attention has focused on the potential hazardous effects of certain chemicals on the endocrine system because of the abihty of these chemicals to mimic or block endogenous hormones, or otherwise interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system. Chemicals with this type of activity are most commonly referred to as endocrine disruptors. Some scientists believe that chemicals with the ability to disrupt the endocrine system are a potential threat to the health of humans, aquatic animals, and wildlife. Others believe that endocrine disrupting chemicals do not pose a significant health risk, particularly in light of the fact that hormone mimics exist in the natural environment. Examples of natural hormone mimics are the isoflavinoid phytoestrogens (Adlercreutz 1995 Livingston 1978 Mayr et al. 1992). 

Colborn T, Vom Saal FS, Soto AM. 1993. Developmental effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in wildlife and humans. Environ Health Perspect 101(5) 378-384. 

Fernandez, M.F., Rivas, A., and Pulgar, R. et al. (2001). Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals The case of bisphenols. Endocrine Disrupters 18, 149-169. 

ColbomT., SaalF.S. vom, SotoA.M. Developmental Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Wildlife and Humans // Environ. Health Perspect. 1993. Vol. 101. P.378-384. 

From the wide variety of emerging pollutants of industrial origin that could be considered here, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate esters (PE) are of especial relevance not only because of the high volumes produced and their widespread use, but also because of their demonstrated toxicity, particularly as endocrine disrupters. Both of them have been included in the final report of the European Commission toward the establishment of a priority list of endocrine disrupter chemicals, EDCs [3], and have been rated as of high risk of exposure for human and wildlife populations. Because of their structural characteristics these compounds cannot be included in any of the groups described above, so they will be described in this section (see Fig. 10). 

Depending upon the circumstance and desired effects, endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be either good or bad. The endocrine system is a finely balanced system responsible for fertility and many of the feminine and masculine traits we are all familiar with. Endocrine disruptors are used by millions of women in the form of the pill to control fertility. Chemicals in birth control pills subtly manipulate the endocrine system to reduce fertility. Unfortunately, we now know that many chemicals are capable of influencing the endocrine systems. When these chemicals, such as DDT and TCDD, are released into the environment, they reduce the fertility of wildlife. Exposure to endocrine disruptors is linked to decreased fertility in shellfish, fish, birds, and mammals. Endocrine disruptors such as nonylphenol have been shown to feminize male fish, interfering with reproduction. Some studies have also linked exposure to endocrine disruptors to decreases in human male sperm count. Ironically, urinary metabolites of the birth control pill as well as the female hormone estrogen pass through waste treatment plants and are released into the aquatic environment, where even small concentrations cause feminization of male fish. 

Colbom T., F.S. Vom Saal, and A.M. Soto (1993). Developmental effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in wildhfe and humans. Environmental Health Perspectives 101 378-384. 

Foster W, Chan S, Platt L, Hughes C (2000) Detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals in samples of second trimester human amniotic fluid. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 85 2954-2957. 

A firm assessment of the risk to humans is not possible at present because of a lack of relevant data about the effects of exposure to endocrine disrupters. While high levels of exposure to some chemicals thought to have endocrine disrupting properties could theoretically increase the risk of reproductive and developmental disorders, no direct evidence is available at present. Further investigation of the relationship between potential endocrine disrupters and human health is needed. In particular, the levels of exposure of humans to such chemicals must be reliably established. 

Estradiol is one of the main female sexual hormones it is also the structural backbone for the engineering of some synthetic estrogens, such as ethynyl estradiol or mestranol, used in human hormone treatments. Both natural and synthetic estrogens are classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).6,362 Many of these substances and their metabolites end up in the environment where... 

Needham LL, Blount B, Rogers S, et al. 2000. Levels of selected nonpersistant endocrine disrupters in humans. In Analysis of environmental endocrine disrupters. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 147-157. 

Water contamination Water Environmental Research Foundation (WERF) approach and software Bacterial pathogens in drinking water New and existing chemical substances EU New and existing chemical substances USEPA Endocrine-disrupting chemicals European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) proposal Plant protection products EU Human pharmaceuticals EU... 

With respect to reproductive toxicology, concerns over endocrine-disrupting chemicals have become an intensive theme of research on both human and wildlife health (Colborn et al. 1996). For the assessment and testing of estrogens and other endocrine disrupters in aquatic life, see the work of Vos et al. (2000), Hutchinson et al. (2000), and Matthiessen (2003). Importantly, however, assessment of reproductive toxicity may also involve a genetic aspect in terms of the teratogens, con-... 

Fernandez MF, Olmos B, Granada A, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Molina-Molina JM, Fernandez JM, Cruz M, Olea-Serrano F, Olea N. 2007b. Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and prenatal risk factors for cryptorchidism and hypospadias a nested case-control study. Environ Health Perspect 115(Suppl 1) 8—14. 

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