Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Endanger Human Health

A new guide documents the threat endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) poses to rising rates of male birth defects, infertility, cancer, obesity, and neurobehavioral disorders.

Released by the Endocrine Society (Washington DC, USA) and the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), the new guide explores the burgeoning scientific evidence—based on field research in wildlife species, epidemiological data on humans, and laboratory research with cell cultures and animal models—that provides insights into how EDCs cause biological changes, and how that may lead to disease. Chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), BPA, and phthalates, are now detectable in serum, fat, and umbilical cord blood in humans around the globe.

The guide stresses that rather than the old toxicological method of a single-exposure, dose-response approach using pure compounds, it is vital that new risk assessment procedures simulate more closely what occurs in nature, i.e., the effects of combinations of compounds or mixtures. It is also vital to recognize that because certain life stages are particularly vulnerable to EDCs, especially early in development, testing EDC effects on adults, which is the norm in traditional risk assessment, may not extrapolate to the exposed fetus or infant.

“There is good reason to suspect that increasing chemical production and use is related to the growing incidence of endocrine-associated disorders over the past 20 years,” said lead author Andrea Gore, PhD, of the University of Texas (Austin, USA). “Importantly, there is growing evidence that fetuses and children have a particular vulnerability to these chemicals. Introduction to EDCs was written to help policymakers and others better understand how these chemicals work and to assist them in making informed policy decisions.”

“The international community will decide how to respond to regional recommendations and growing stakeholder concerns about EDCs,” said Olga Speranskaya, PhD and co-chair of IPEN. “Some of our goals for the meeting include new initiatives to identify potential EDCs and safer alternatives including non-chemical alternatives, more awareness-raising about the hazards of EDCs, and steps toward translating research results into control actions.”

EDCs and other Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) were one of the topics of discussion when policymakers and other stakeholders met in Geneva (Switzerland) during December 2014 to discuss the next steps on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), a global chemical safety policy framework. More than 100 countries are participating in the process, which is organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP; Nairobi, Kenya) with contributions from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Related Links:
The Endocrine Society
International POPs Elimination Network
University of Texas