Some evidence of effects of environmental chemicals on the endocrine system in children.
Pollutant chemicals that are widespread in the environment can affect endocrine function in laboratory experiments and in wildlife. Although human beings are commonly exposed to such pollutant chemicals, the exposures are generally low and clear effects on endocrine function from such exposures have been difficult to demonstrate. Human data including both exposure to the chemical agent and the endocrine outcome are reviewed here, including age at weaning, age at puberty, anogenital distance, and sex ratio at birth, and the strength of the evidence are discussed. Although endocrine disruption in humans by pollutant chemicals remains largely undemonstrated, the underlying science is sound and the potential for such effects is real.
Rogan
Walter J
WJ
Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. rogan@niehs.nih.gov
Ragan
N Beth
NB
D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005835:Genitalia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D011627:Puberty / Q000187:drug effects; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D014886:Weaning
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls