title: Evaluating Endocrine Disruption Activity of Deposits on Firefighting Gear Using a Sensitive and High Throughput Screening Method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adverse health outcomes related to exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, including increased incidences of coronary heart disease, prostate and testicular cancers, and congenital disabilities, have been reported in firefighters or their offspring. We, therefore, measured the estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity of extracts of used firefighter gear to assess exposure to these agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracts and known chemical contaminants were examined for estrogenicity and antiestrogenicity in yeast cells expressing the estrogen receptor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most extracts of used gear and phthalate diesters detectable on this gear displayed strong antiestrogenic effects. Notably, new glove and hood extracts showed significant estrogenic activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, our data suggest that firefighters are exposed to both estrogenic and antiestrogenic agents, possibly phthalates that may lead to health risks observed in this occupation as a result of perturbation of hormone homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Genetics and Molecular Toxicology (Mr Stevenson, Dr Alexander, Dr Baxter, Dr Leung), Department of Environmental Health; Center for Environmental Genetics (Dr Baxter, Dr Leung); and Cancer Institute (Dr Leung), University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: C Stuart
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: Yuet-Kin
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000032:analysis*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis*; D061388:Firefighters; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011481:Protective Clothing
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D004967:Estrogens