Health, Safety & the Environment
|
|
| What is Endocrine Disruption? |
|
| The endocrine system coordinates essential developmental and reproductive functions using hormones. These hormones interact via hormone receptors to control various aspects of physiology, including reproductive functions. |
Some substances might imitate these hormones and interact with the hormone receptors. Many such substances exist in nature, for example phytoestrogens found in certain vegetables and grains, and their properties have been known to mankind for a long time. We have sometimes even used these effects or replicated them in synthetic chemicals to our benefit, for example in contraceptives or the treatment of certain illnesses.
Though these are known and usually desired effects of these substances, there is a supposition that other chemicals, not meant to interact with the endocrine system, may do so in a way that could potentially affect human or environmental health. Such potential undesired endocrine activity has been referred to as endocrine disruption.
The generally agreed definition for endocrine disruptors is as follows:
“An endocrine disrupter is an exogenous substance that causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, secondary to changes in endocrine function."
- European Workshop on the Impact of Endocrine Disrupters on Human Health and Wildlife (Weybridge, UK; 1996). European Union Report EUR17459.
A potential to interact with the endocrine system does not necessarily constitute a risk. This is dependent upon the extent of exposure (i.e., dose) or whether the interaction has the potential to trigger adverse effects in the organism as a whole. In fact, the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE) states that: “It is important to realise that endocrine disruption is not a toxicological endpoint per se as is cancer or allergy, but that it is a descriptor for a functional change that may lead to adverse health effects. Rather, endocrine disruption should be seen in the context of well-established endpoints, primarily reproductive toxicity and impaired development.”
- CSTEE opinion on BKH Consulting Engineers Report "Towards the establishment of a priority list of substances for further evaluation of their role in endocrine disruption".
