Fifteen years after "Wingspread"--environmental endocrine disrupters and human and wildlife health: where we are today and where we need to go.
In 1991, a group of expert scientists at a Wingspread work session on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) concluded that "Many compounds introduced into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Endocrine disruption can be profound because of the crucial role hormones play in controlling development." Since that time, there have been numerous documented examples of adverse effects of EDCs in invertebrates, fish, wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Hormonal systems can be disrupted by numerous different anthropogenic chemicals including antiandrogens, androgens, estrogens, AhR agonists, inhibitors of steroid hormone synthesis, antithyroid substances, and retinoid agonists. In addition, pathways and targets for endocrine disruption extend beyond the traditional estrogen/androgen/thyroid receptor-mediated reproductive and developmental systems. For example, scientists have expressed concern about the potential role of EDCs in increasing trends in early puberty in girls, obesity and type II diabetes in the United States and other populations. New concerns include complex endocrine alterations induced by mixtures of chemicals, an issue broadened due to the growing awareness that EDCs present in the environment include a variety of potent human and veterinary pharmaceutical products, personal care products, nutraceuticals and phytosterols. In this review we (1) address what have we learned about the effects of EDCs on fish, wildlife, and human health, (2) discuss representative animal studies on (anti)androgens, estrogens and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-like chemicals, and (3) evaluate regulatory proposals being considered for screening and testing these chemicals.
Hotchkiss
Andrew K
AK
USEPA/NCSU Cooperative Training agreement (CT826512010), Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA.
Rider
Cynthia V
CV
Blystone
Chad R
CR
Wilson
Vickie S
VS
Hartig
Phillip C
PC
Ankley
Gerald T
GT
Foster
Paul M
PM
Gray
Clark L
CL
Gray
L Earl
LE
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017753:Ecosystem; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005399:Fishes; D033161:Government Regulation; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000639:trends*; D014116:Toxicology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants