Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with endocrine (or hormone system) in animals, including humans. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. Specifically, they are known to cause learning disabilities, severe attention deficit disorder, cognitive and brain development problems, deformations of the body (including limbs); sexual development problems, feminizing of males or masculine effects on females, etc. Any system in the body controlled by hormones, can be derailed by hormone disruptors. The critical period of development for most organisms is between the transition from a fertilized egg, into a fully formed infant. As the cells begin to grow and differentiate, there are critical balances of hormones and protein changes that must occur. Therefore, a dose of disrupting chemicals can do substantial damage to a developing fetus (baby). Whereas, the same dose may not significantly affect adult mothers.
Extracted from www.wikipedia.org.
Coalition Opposed to PCB Ash in Monroe County, Indiana
– Provides information concerning the problem related to PCB hazardous waste incinerator and landfill. Links to resources and research.
Direct link: Coalition Opposed to PCB Ash in Monroe County, Indiana
Dioxin Facts
– Chlorine Chemistry Council provides information regarding dioxins, their release into the environment, and their effects on human health.
Direct link: Dioxin Facts
Dioxin Threat
– A report on the technical and social implications of dioxin.
Direct link: Dioxin Threat
Endocrine Disrupters: Are Synthetic Hormones Causing Environmental Chaos?
– Information from the Why Files about the endocrine system, effects of pesticides/PCBs/dioxins on wildlife and people, and prospects for action to resolve this concern.
Direct link: Endocrine Disrupters
Endocrine Disruptors Low-Dose Peer Review
– Report evaluating the low dose effects and dose response relationships for endocrine disrupting chemicals in mammalian species that relate to human health.
Direct link: Endocrine Disruptors Low-Dose Peer Review
Endocrine Disruptors Research Initiative
– Describes the coordination of U.S. federal government efforts to examine the hypothesis that there are chemicals present in the environment of humans and wildlife that, by virtue of their ability to interact with endocrine systems, are causing a variety of adverse health effects.
Direct link: Endocrine Disruptors Research Initiative
Endocrine/Estrogen Letter
– Newsletter and comprehensive set of endocrine disrupter links.
Direct link: Endocrine/Estrogen Letter
Fox River Watch
– Provides information on the PCB pollution of the Fox River, Green Bay, Wisconsin and Lake Michigan including research on PCBs, history, health effects, toxicity, sediment remediation, dredging, cleanup, and politics.
Direct link: Fox River Watch
Hormonally Active Agents in the Environment
– 1999 National Academy of Sciences report (1) examines the science behind the ominous prospect of "estrogen mimics" threatening health and well-being and (2) identifies research needs. Purchase book or read it online.
Direct link: Hormonally Active Agents in the Environment
International POPs Elimination Network
– IPEN works for the global elimination of persistent organic pollutants. Information on PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) including health effects, international, national and local policy efforts, elimination technology, and links to further research and resources.
Direct link: International POPs Elimination Network
Introduction to Hormone Disrupting Chemicals
– An introduction to the effects of hormone disrupting chemicals on man and the environment, and the response of governments and industry to this problem. Written for anyone interested in the subject. Includes internet links and other references.
Direct link: Introduction to Hormone Disrupting Chemicals
National Toxicology Program Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)
– Resource for the latest information about potentially hazardous effects of chemicals on human reproduction and development.
Direct link: National Toxicology Program Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)
New Studies Confirm Dangers of Atrazine, a Widely Used Agricultural Weed-Killer
– NRDC website describes research suggesting the atrazine is a carcinogen and causes sexual abnormalities in male frogs.
Direct link: New Studies Confirm Dangers of Atrazine
OECD Endocrine Disruptors Assessment
– Part of the OECD Test Guidelines Programme, focused on reaching international agreement on the testing and assessment of chemicals with respect to their endocrine disrupting potential.
Direct link: OECD Endocrine Disruptors Assessment
Our Stolen Future
– Provides updates about endocrine disruption created by man-made chemical contaminants that interfere with hormones in humans and wildlife.
Direct link: Our Stolen Future
PCB Home Page at EPA
– Provides information on Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB’s). Background, resources and links to many topics.
Direct link: PCB Home Page at EPA
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
– These chemical substances persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. From the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Direct link: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Phthalates and Human Health: Demystifying the Risks of Plastic-softening Chemicals
– Discusses human health concerns and public health benefits related to plasticizers, which are chemicals used to soften normally-rigid PVC, or polyvinyl chloride plastics.
Direct link: Demystifying the Risks of Plastic-softening Chemicals
The Dioxin Home Page
– Personal home page by Lewis A. Shadoff, Ph.D., discusses dioxins, furans, and similar toxic substances, including what they are and where they are found.
Direct link: The Dioxin Home Page
The Information Site on Endocrine Modulation
– This conservative, industry/government funded site provides very cautious interpretations of scientific findings about endocrine disruption.
Direct link: The Information Site on Endocrine Modulation