Sources of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are generally defined as exogenous substances that alter the function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects in an organism, its progeny or subpopulations. Endocrine disruptors include natural and synthetic hormones, phytoestrogens, pesticides and a variety of industrial chemicals and by-products. This enormous diversity means that it is not possible to define a 'typical' endocrine active chemical. Classification is further complicated by the often inconsistent data, poorly defined mechanism(s) of action, lack of exposure data in both animal and human populations. The so-called "endocrine active chemicals" (EACs) possess a wide range of biophysical characteristics; some are lipophilic and persistent while others are hydrophilic and rapidly degraded. Some adverse health effects have been linked to complex mixtures of chemical compounds, making the identification of the hormonally active components extremely difficult. General sources of endocrine disruption are described here and include ingestion of food, medications, pesticides and industrial chemicals. While there are a vast number of chemicals used in industry it is important to note that there is a broad range of toxic profiles ranging from non-toxic to very toxic. The effect of exposure on the endocrine system is not known for the majority of chemicals in use today. Moreover, the effect of chemical exposure on our physiology remains uncertain and thus toxicity testing must be considered a priority. Only through rigorous testing can the toxic characteristics and mechanisms of action of chemicals regardless of source (man-made or dietary) be determined and evidence based regulatory decisions taken to protect human health and human enterprises that are integral to our quality of life.

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