Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

by Hester, R. E.; Harrison, Roy M.

• ISBN13: 9780854042555
• ISBN10: 0854042555
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Summary

Long-term environmental effects of chemical exposure have long been of concern and, more recently, chemicals which cause changes to the sexual development of exposed organisms have been identified. It is thought that low-level exposure to a wide range of chemicals may be affecting endocrine function, leading to a reduction in fertility and an increase in reproductive cancers. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals reviews the scientific evidence and attempts to put the subject into context. Along with an overview of the issue, there is discussion of the specialised aspects in relation to wildlife; environmental oestrogens and male reproduction; and naturally occurring oestrogenic substances. With contributions from representatives of the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environment and Health and the US Environmental Protection Agency, the articles provide a comprehensive and detailed review of current issues. This book will be of interest to a wide readership, including industrial and environmental scientists, managers and policy makers.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Endocrine Disrupters Issue	1	(26)
Barry Phillips
Paul Harrison
The Emergence of Endocrine Disruption as a Toxicological Problem	1	(3)
The Expanding Definition of Endocrine Disruption	4	(1)
Human Health and Endocrine Disrupters	5	(3)
Endocrine Disruption and Wildlife	8	(3)
Proposed Mechanisms of Endocrine Disruption	11	(2)
Suspected EDs and Sources of Exposure	13	(3)
Methods of Identifying EDs	16	(3)
Estimation of Risk from EDs	19	(2)
Positions and Activities of Governments and International Organizations	21	(4)
Conclusions and Unanswered Questions	25	(2)
Environmentally Induced Endocrine Abnormalities in Fish	27	(22)
David E. Kime
Background	27	(1)
The Nature of Aquatic Pollution	28	(2)
The Endocrine System of Fish	30	(4)
Hypothalamic and Pituitary Abnormalities	34	(1)
Male Reproductive Problems in Fish	34	(3)
Female Reproductive Problems in Fish	37	(5)
Abnormalities in Growth, Metabolism and the Stress Response	42	(1)
Abnormal Liver Function	43	(1)
The Implications of Endocrine Dysfunction for Fish	44	(2)
Fish, Wildlife and Humans---A Warning	46	(1)
Conclusion	47	(2)
Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Invertebrates	49	(12)
Michael H. Depledge
Tamara S. Galloway
Zoe Billinghurst
Introduction	49	(1)
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals	50	(1)
Endocrine Disrupters in Invertebrates	51	(3)
Invertebrate Endocrine Function	54	(1)
Evidence of Endocrine Disruption in Invertebrates	55	(2)
Detection and Assessment of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals	57	(1)
Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption	58	(1)
A Strategy for the Detection of Endocrine Disruption	59	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	60	(1)
Endocrine Disruption in Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians	61	(22)
Catherine Botham
Philip Holmes
Paul Harrison
Introduction	61	(1)
Evidence for Endocrine Disruption in Wildlife	62	(13)
Biological and Physicochemical Modifiers of Endocrine Disrupter Exposure	75	(4)
Geographical Considerations and Implications for Recovery Rates	79	(2)
Conclusions	81	(1)
Acknowledgements	82	(1)
Oestrogens, Environmental Oestrogens and Male Reproduction	83	(26)
Katie J. Turner
Introduction	83	(1)
Is Male Reproductive Health Deteriorating?	83	(4)
Is There a Common Aetiology?	87	(1)
Determinants of Fertility in Adulthood	88	(5)
Exposure to Oestrogen Is Associated with Impaired Male Reproductive Health	93	(2)
Effects of Oestrogen on the Development and Function of the Male Reproductive System	95	(6)
Environmental Oestrogens	101	(4)
Are Humans at Risk?	105	(2)
Endocrine Disruption---Concluding Remarks	107	(1)
Acknowledgements	108	(1)
Human Health Effects of Phytoestrogens	109	(26)
Philip Holmes
Barry Phillips
Introduction	109	(5)
Potency of the Phytoestrogens	114	(1)
Potential Beneficial Effects	114	(15)
Possible Causes for Concern	129	(3)
Conclusions	132	(1)
Acknowledgements	133	(2)
Endocrine Disrupter Research and Regulation in the United States	135	(12)
Anthony F. Maciorowski
Gary E. Timm
Introduction	135	(1)
The Need for Research and Science Policy	136	(3)
Endocrine Disrupter Screening, Testing and Regulatory Implementation	139	(6)
Implementation of the Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program	145	(1)
Conclusions	146	(1)
Subject Index	147