Endocrine Disruptors
Description
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. A wide range of substances, both natural and man-made, are thought to cause endocrine disruption, including pharmaceuticals, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT and other pesticides, and plasticizers such as bisphenol A. Endocrine disruptors may be found in many everyday products– including plastic bottles, metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides. The NIEHS supports studies to determine whether exposure to endocrine disruptors may result in human health effects including lowered fertility and an increased incidence of endometriosis and some cancers. Research shows that endocrine disruptors may pose the greatest risk during prenatal and early postnatal development when organ and neural systems are forming.
Health Studies & Clinical Trials
What NIEHS is Doing on Endocrine Disruptors
- Research on PCBs and obesity earns Wetterhahn award (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/12/science-Wetterhahn/index.htm)
- SRP patents licensed for water applications (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/12/science-SRPKentucky/index.htm)
- Birnbaum gives keynote at Chesapeake Bay watershed meeting (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/11/spotlight-birnbaum/index.htm)
- Gabbay Foundation honors bisphenol researchers (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/11/science-gabbay/index.htm)
- Bisphenol A linked to lower thyroid hormone levels in newborn boys (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/11/science-bpa/index.htm)
- BPA Exposure Traced to Abnormal Heart Rhythms (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/5/science-bpa/index.htm)
- Addressing New Challenges in Children’s Environmental Health (314KB)
- Arsenic-Related Mortality in Bangladesh
- BPA Researchers Meet for Updates and Assessment (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/2/science-bpa/index.htm)
- Bisphenol A (BPA): Expanding Research to Impact Human Health
- Bisphenol A Reduces the Effectiveness of Chemotherapeutics
- Casey Presents at International Meeting on Alternatives for Endocrine Disruptors (/news/newsletter/2011/january/science-casey.cfm)
- Child Development and Environmental Toxins (633KB)
- Consuming Canned Soup Linked to Higher BPA Levels (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/1/dert/index.htm#a1)
- Consumption of Foods with High Soy Content is Associated with Lower Sperm Concentrations in Men
- Dioxins in Food Chain May Cause Poor Milk Production
- Effects of Organochlorine Compounds on Menstrual Cycles
- Expert Panel Evaluation of Soy Infant Formula (51KB)
- Flame Retardant Linked to Decreased Thyroid Hormone Levels in Pregnant Women
- Flame Retardants Linked to Reduced Human Fertility
- Highest Levels of Flame Retardant Chemicals Reported in California Pregnant Women (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/september/science-chemicals/index.cfm)
- In Small Doses: Arsenic - a 10 min. video about the risks of arsenic exposure in private well water
- In Utero BPA Exposure Leads to Epigenetic Alterations
- Low Dose BPA Alters Gene Expression in the Fetal Mouse Ovary
- PCBs May Alter in utero Neonatal Brain Development
- Phthalate Exposure Alters Children's Behavior and Cognitive Function
- Phthalate Exposure May Extend Pregnancy
- Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals Linked to ADHD
- Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates is Associated with Reduced Masculine Behavior in Boys
- Reduced Vaccine Effectiveness Tied to PFC Exposure (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/4/science-vaccine/index.htm)
- Role of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Report (http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1104597)
- Seminar addresses developmental origins of immune disease (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/6/science-immune/index.htm)
- Since You Asked - Bisphenol A: Questions and Answers about the Draft National Toxicology Program Brief on Bisphenol ARole of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Report (http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1104597)
- Solutions to Arsenic Groundwater Contamination
- Study Finds BPA-exposed Male Deer Mice Less Attractive to Females (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/august/science-bpa/index.cfm)
- Study links house dust with high risk of exposure to flame retardant chemicals (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/7/scienc-housedust/index.htm)
- Study Links Phthalate and BPA Exposure to Altered Thyroid Signaling in Humans (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/august/science-phthalate/index.cfm)
General Information
- Bisphenol A (BPA) Information for Parents
- E.hormone: Hormones and the Environment - A gateway to events, research, news, books and learning facts sheets on the impact of environmental estrogens and other hormones on human health.
- Endocrine Disruptors Research Initiative - An inventory of federal government research on the effects of environmental chemicals on the endocrine system of humans and wildlife. Includes links to other related sites.
- The Endocrine Society issued its first-ever scientific statement on endocrine - disrupting chemicals at its Annual meeting June 16, 2009
- Endocrine Disruptors (1MB)
- Endocrine Research Resources (966KB)
- Environmental Health Perspectives, Environews by Topic: Endocrine Disruptors
- FDA - Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Household Products Database: Bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin copolymer acrylate
- Household Products Database: Bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin polymer
- Household Products Database: Bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin polymer, tall oil fatty acids ester
- Household Products Database: Bisphenol A, formaldehyde, epichlorohydrin polymer
- Linking Early Environmental Exposures to Adult Diseases (1014KB)
- Since You Asked - Soy Infant Formula
- Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms: Organ
- Research Links - Scientific Resources - Environmental Health - Endocrine Disruptors
For Educators
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Are EDCs Blurring Issues of Gender? (324KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Arsenic: An Element of Suffering (121KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Beauty or the Beast? (154KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Bisphenol A and Diabetes (196KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Consider the Source (1MB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Lettuce Explore Perchlorate in Food (90KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Soy: Filling in the Gaps (146KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Wildlife Study Comparison (139KB)
- Green Chemistry - this resource includes video, produced by WGBH (Boston), that talks about a national study looking at dust samples in homes. Phthalates, BPA, and brominated flame retardants are discussed, as is, the possibility of safer alternatives using green chemistry. Discussion questions are included.
