Characterization of potential endocrine-related health effects at low-dose levels of exposure to PCBs.
This article addresses issues related to the characterization of endocrine-related health effects resulting from low-level exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the literature but reflects workshop discussions. "The Characterizing the Effects of Endocrine Disruptors on Human Health at Environmental Exposure Levels," workshop provided a forum to discuss the methods and data needed to improve risk assessments of endocrine disruptors. This article contains an overview of endocrine-related (estrogen and thyroid system) interactions and other low-dose effects of PCBs. The data set on endocrine effects includes results obtained from mechanistic methods/ and models (receptor based, metabolism based, and transport protein based), as well as from (italic)in vivo(/italic) models, including studies with experimental animals and wildlife species. Other low-dose effects induced by PCBs, such as neurodevelopmental and reproductive effects and endocrine-sensitive tumors, have been evaluated with respect to a possible causative linkage with PCB-induced alterations in endocrine systems. In addition, studies of low-dose exposure and effects in human populations are presented and critically evaluated. A list of conclusions and recommendations is included.
Brouwer
A
A
Division of Toxicology, Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Sciences, Wageningen Agricultural University and Research Center, The Netherlands. bram.brouwer@algemeen.tox.wau.nl
Longnecker
M P
MP
Birnbaum
L S
LS
Cogliano
J
J
Kostyniak
P
P
Moore
J
J
Schantz
S
S
Winneke
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D000835:Animals, Wild; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011634:Public Health; D051381:Rats; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls