Health effects hormone disrupting chemicals

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). 

There is growing interest in the field of aquatic endocrine disrupters (deFur et al. 1999). Since much is known about the endocrinology of crustaceans, and since crustaceans are often keystone species in aquatic food webs, there will likely be much more research devoted to the determination of the effects of exogenous chemicals on these various hormonal processes. Crustaceans will be useful indicator species for environmental health. 

In 1996, Colborn et al. highlighted the potential health implications of these additives and their ability to disrupt the natural function of the endocrine system. The number of suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has subsequently grown. However, the causality between exposure to EDCs and adverse human health effects is unclear and controversial due to the multifactorial etiologies of such a hormone-related disease. ... 

A report released by the national environmental health group Women s Voices for the Earth (WVE) (htq> //www.womensvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ Disinfectant-OverkilLpdf) linked disinfectant chemicals with chronic illnesses and conditions such as asthma, hormone imbalance, and immune system problems in a report titled Disinfectant Overkill How Too Clean May Be Hazardous to Our Health, which cited more than 40 peer-reviewed reports and scientific studies. According to the report Triclosan and Triclocarban, two antibacterial disinfectants may have hormone-disrupting effects Triclosan adversely affects communication between cells in the brain and the heart while Triclocarban appears to amplify testosterone in the body (http //www.womensvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ Disinfectant-OverkilLpdf). The physical and chemical properties of disinfectants and their byproducts can influence their behavior in drinking water. 

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