Key developments in endocrine disrupter research and human health.
Environmental etiologies involving exposures to chemicals that mimic endogenous hormones are proposed for a number of adverse human health effects, including infertility, abnormal prenatal and childhood development, and reproductive cancers (National Research Council, 1999; World Health Organization, 2002). Endocrine disrupters represent a significant area of environmental research with important implications for human health. This article provides an overview of some of the key developments in this field that may enhance our ability to assess the human health risks posed by exposure to endocrine disrupters. Advances in methodologies of hazard identification (toxicogenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics) are discussed, as well as epigenetics and emerging biological endpoints.
Phillips
Karen P
KP
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Karen.Phillips@uottawa.ca
Foster
Warren G
WG
D015415:Biomarkers; D019295:Computational Biology; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004782:Environmental Health; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D043922:Toxicogenetics
D015415:Biomarkers; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors