Momtezuma Tuatara
26-07-09, 09:02 AM
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2706654
While it appears clear, in both animals and humans, that exposure to EDCs can have adverse effects on reproductive physiology and behavior, controversies surrounding this topic remain. Importantly, recognition of the prevalence of these compounds in the environment and their potential to adversely affect both wildlife and human populations is increasing among scientists, policy makers, and the general public. Further efforts to understand the mechanisms underlying EDC effects, particularly those seen at environmentally relevant doses by compounds with low hormonal potency, are necessary to adequately develop a public health strategy for preventing or combating their effects. The ability of these compounds to permanently affect the epigenome could be potentially catastrophic to the welfare of future generations and requires further attention by both toxicologists and endocrinologists. While research surrounding this topic is not conclusive, particularly in humans, there is certainly sufficient evidence to warrant concern about potential long term effects in both wildlife and humans. Obtaining absolute proof of endocrine disruption by BPA, phthalates, and other compounds with weak hormonal activity in humans is likely impossible because it would obviously be unethical to conduct a double-blind study where one group is exposed to a suspected toxicant. Research in animals, however, is robust and indicates that disruption of sex specific behavior, neuroendocrine circuitry and physiology is possible and, in some cases, transgenerational.
Unfortunately, it is extraordinarily difficult for individuals to make informed choices about how to reduce their potential exposure because chemicals in the US are not routinely screened or tested for endocrine disrupting properties. The Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC) was formed by Congress in 1996 to make specific recommendations to the EPA about how to test and screen compounds for endocrine disrupting properties, but progress has been frustratingly slow. A list of compounds to be screened was not compiled until April of 2009 and only 67 chemicals were included, a tiny fraction of the thousands of compounds now suspected of having endocrine disrupting properties. Moreover, it is often impossible to determine which plastics, cosmetics, toys, or other household items contain any of these compounds so consumers have no adequate way to avoid them if desired. The thought that the mixture of chemicals a pregnant woman is exposed to during her pregnancy could affect not only her daughter's fecundity but also her granddaughter's is alarming and a major reason why the topic of endocrine disruption continues to receive global attention by scientists and the general public.
Parents must learn to get their heads around the fact that tiny things can have a huge impact on babies lives.
While it appears clear, in both animals and humans, that exposure to EDCs can have adverse effects on reproductive physiology and behavior, controversies surrounding this topic remain. Importantly, recognition of the prevalence of these compounds in the environment and their potential to adversely affect both wildlife and human populations is increasing among scientists, policy makers, and the general public. Further efforts to understand the mechanisms underlying EDC effects, particularly those seen at environmentally relevant doses by compounds with low hormonal potency, are necessary to adequately develop a public health strategy for preventing or combating their effects. The ability of these compounds to permanently affect the epigenome could be potentially catastrophic to the welfare of future generations and requires further attention by both toxicologists and endocrinologists. While research surrounding this topic is not conclusive, particularly in humans, there is certainly sufficient evidence to warrant concern about potential long term effects in both wildlife and humans. Obtaining absolute proof of endocrine disruption by BPA, phthalates, and other compounds with weak hormonal activity in humans is likely impossible because it would obviously be unethical to conduct a double-blind study where one group is exposed to a suspected toxicant. Research in animals, however, is robust and indicates that disruption of sex specific behavior, neuroendocrine circuitry and physiology is possible and, in some cases, transgenerational.
Unfortunately, it is extraordinarily difficult for individuals to make informed choices about how to reduce their potential exposure because chemicals in the US are not routinely screened or tested for endocrine disrupting properties. The Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC) was formed by Congress in 1996 to make specific recommendations to the EPA about how to test and screen compounds for endocrine disrupting properties, but progress has been frustratingly slow. A list of compounds to be screened was not compiled until April of 2009 and only 67 chemicals were included, a tiny fraction of the thousands of compounds now suspected of having endocrine disrupting properties. Moreover, it is often impossible to determine which plastics, cosmetics, toys, or other household items contain any of these compounds so consumers have no adequate way to avoid them if desired. The thought that the mixture of chemicals a pregnant woman is exposed to during her pregnancy could affect not only her daughter's fecundity but also her granddaughter's is alarming and a major reason why the topic of endocrine disruption continues to receive global attention by scientists and the general public.
Parents must learn to get their heads around the fact that tiny things can have a huge impact on babies lives.