General

An endocrine disrupter alters the function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations. The main evidence suggesting that exposure to environmental chemicals can lead to disruption of endocrine function comes from changes seen in a number of wildlife species. Effects suggested as being related to endocrine disruption have been reported in molluscs, crustacea, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals in various parts of the world. There is also some limited evidence in humans that adverse endocrine-mediated effects have followed either intentional or accidental exposure to high levels of particular chemicals.

Chemicals with hormonal activity, i.e. potential endocrine disrupters, include:

• Natural hormones from any animal, released into the environment, and chemicals produced by one species that exert hormonal actions on other animals, e.g. human hormones unintentionally reactivated during the processing of human waste in sewage effluent, may result in changes to fish
• Natural chemicals including toxins produced by components of plants (the so-called phytoestrogens, such as genistein or coumestrol) and certain fungi
• Synthetically produced pharmaceuticals that are intended to be highly hormonally active, e.g. the contraceptive pill and treatments for hormone-responsive cancers may also be detected in sewage effluent
• Man-made chemicals and by-products released into the environment. Laboratory experiments have suggested that some man-made chemicals might be able to cause endocrine changes. These include some pesticides (e.g. DDT and other chlorinated compounds), chemicals in some consumer and medical products (e.g. some plastic additives), and a number of industrial chemicals (e.g. polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), dioxins). The hormonal activity of these chemicals, is many times weaker than the body's own naturally present hormones, e.g. nonyl phenol (a breakdown product of alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactants), found as a low level contaminant in some rivers in Europe, has an oestrogenic activity only about one-ten thousandth that of the natural hormone, oestrogen.

(Source: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/endocrine/index_en.htm)

Protocol

European Commission
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/endocrine/index_en.htm

Costs

Nil available. Contact a NATA registered laboratory for more information

Case Studies

European Commission
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/endocrine/index_en.htm

People contacts

http://www.asl.org.au/asl_volunteers.htm

Organisation contacts

European Commission
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/endocrine/index_en.htm

Advanced Reference

Water Quality Research Journal of Canada
http://www.cciw.ca/wqrjc/36-2.htm