Public Engagement of Science

One of the many challenges society faces today is the rapid advancement of science and technology beyond the general understanding of its citizens. With development of new medical procedures, pharmaceuticals, electronic devices and health information regarding the safety of chemicals, emergence of new diseases and preventive medicine, science permeates every segment of our lives. Science must therefore be accessible to the public to enable effective and informed choices and self-determination.

Policy decisions regarding the regulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals requires the public's engagement. The public should have access to information describing the risks, health and safety concerns associated with use of these chemicals. Effective communication of the risks associated with endocrine disrupters necessitates the translation of scientific concepts, testing procedures and risk assessments into language that is understandable to the general public. Specialized terminology that remains undefined can create barriers between the scientific community and the public, thereby reducing access to science. The concept of 'democratization of science' describes the notion of rendering science accessible to the public, thereby empowering citizens to make informed choices and become engaged in decisions that impact their health and safety.

Discussions regarding the assessment of health risks in general, but particularly in the case of endocrine disrupters, must include an understanding of the limitations of science. Scientific studies rarely produce results that are absolute, resulting in study results that may be contradictory or difficult to interpret. The components of a scientific study- the study design, the methodology, the number of samples/individuals/animals studied (sample size) and the analysis - are often different between studies of the same subject, creating variation and necessitating careful interpretation of the results. It is often difficult for the public to fully understand the implications of a particular health issue due to inconsistencies within the scientific literature.

Guidelines for the risk assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals and other human health risks should be available to the public. An understanding of the process of risk assessment and risk management, leading to the recommendations for regulations and public policy decisions, will more fully engage the public in this process and help individuals make informed choices regarding their personal health and safety.

European Union Launches Endocrine Disruption Program Lorenz, S. Toxicology. E.U. shifts endocrine disrupter research into overdrive. Science. 300(5622):1069. 2003. PM:12750489

Exposure to Agent Orange, a herbicide used during the Vietnam war, has been widely studied as a potential endocrine disrupter mixture.

Endocrine disrupters and children’s health. Landrigan, P, Garg, A, Droller, DBJ. Assessing the effects of endocrine disruptors in the National Children’s Study. Environmental Health Perspectives. 111:1678-82. 2003. PM: 14527850

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Children's Environmental Exposure Research Study (CHEERS) Delayed. (http://www.epa.gov/cheers)

Washington Post reports the finding of abnormal sexual characteristics of male bass in West Virginia’s Potomac River. Fahrenthold. D. Washington Post. Oct. 15, 2004. Page A01.

Toxic Nation: A Report on Pollution in Canadians was recently released by Environmental Defence.

Polluted Children, Toxic Nation: A Report on Pollution in Canadian Families