Offspring release

A CERCLA response or liability will be triggered by an actual release or the threat of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant being released into the environment. A hazardous substance [CERCLA 101(14)] is any substance requiring special consideration due to its toxic nature under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, or Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and as defined under the RCRA. Additionally [CERCLA 101(33)], a pollutant or contaminant can be any other substance not necessarily designated or listed that will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause any adverse effect in organisms and/or their offspring. 

Successful reproduction (and sex) involves many complex chemical processes that can be disrupted at various points to reduce fertility and conception. Part of this process is under control of the endocrine system, and chemicals that affect the endocrine system are termed endocrine disruptors. In the 1950s, understanding of the endocrine system led to the development of birth control pills as a way to reduce fertility in humans. This is a desirable and planned use of endocrine disruptors. Subsequently, it was discovered that a number of chemicals released into the environment could disrupt the endocrine system and reduce fertility of wildlife. Some are concerned that exposure to these chemicals, such as DDT and dioxin (TCDD), may also affect human fertility (Table 17.1). Approximately 15% of couples of reproductive age are infertile. Endocrine disruptors may also affect fetal development, causing demasculization and feminization of the offspring, which in turn cause reduced fertility in the next generation. 

An enhanced level of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptors is found in the central amygdala of rat mothers who spend relatively less time licking and grooming offspring (Francis et ah, 1999a), this... 

Stoker TE, Robinette CL, Cooper RL (1999) Maternal exposure to atrazine during lactation suppresses suckling-induced prolactin release and results in prostatitis in the adult offspring. Toxicol Sci, 52 68-79. 

Interestingly and consistent with previously reported results for prenatal TCDD exposure (another environmental contaminant found to be released as a result of the terrorist attack on the WTC) the effects on the aforementioned AMPA-mediated single cell responses were validated by RT-PCR. Glutamate receptor, AMPA-type subunit (GluRl) temporal developmental mRNA expression was determined in control and B(a)P-exposed offspring. The results shown in Figure 17.8 were normalized to ISsRNA expression. The results presented in this pre-weaning developmental... 

---