Worldwide concern has arisen that certain environmental contaminants as well as some naturally occurring compounds have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system which regulates vital processes including development, growth, metabolism and reproduction. Several pieces of interesting evidence indicating possible increasing trends of adverse effects on the reproductive capability of animals, wildlife as well as humans have been forthcoming. The last two decades has witnessed growing scientific concerns and public debate over the potential adverse effects that may result from exposure to a group of chemicals that have the potential to alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system in wildlife and humans.
Worldwide concern has arisen that certain environmental contaminants as well as some naturally occurring compounds have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system which regulates vital processes including development, growth, metabolism and reproduction. Several pieces of interesting evidence indicating possible increasing trends of adverse effects on the reproductive capability of animals, wildlife as well as humans have been forthcoming. The last two decades has witnessed growing scientific concerns and public debate over the potential adverse effects that may result from exposure to a group of chemicals that have the potential to alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system in wildlife and humans.
In the early 1990’s, an interdisciplinary group of scientists in the United states started a discussion about chemicals with a potential to specifically induce adverse effects on the endocrine systems of both human and wildlife. The result, the “Wingspread Consensus Statement”, triggered further debate in both the USA and Europe. The general public was confronted with this issue by television through programs like the 1993 BBC Horizon documentary with striking title “Assault on the Male” and the well known 1996 publication “Our Stolen Future” by Theo Colborn, Dumanoski and Myers.
- What are endocrine disruptors???
Endocrine disruptors have been defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action or elimination of natural hormones in the body responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis and regulation of developmental processes (Kavlock et al., 1996). In 1996, the European Commission defined an endocrine disrupter as “an exogenous substance that causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, consequent to changes in endocrine function” (European Commission, 1996).
EDCs are suspected to interact with the endocrine systems and as such disturb hormone homeostasis. The endocrine system acts by releasing hormones which in effect trigger actions in specific target cells. Almost all biological development unfolds as a sequence of events, orchestrated and controlled by biochemical signaling mechanisms that activate gene expression. Key among these signaling mechanisms are hormones; chemical messenger molecules that are produced in one part of the body and transported to another where they enter a cell and in concert with other intracellular complexes, initiates gene expression. Interference with any step in these signaling processes during development can result in adverse effects ranging from obvious birth defects to subtle changes that only become manifest long after exposure has occurred. High doses of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can result in overt toxicity, such as cell death, but at lower levels, they can alter the expression of genes, resulting in endocrine system changes that become permanent during critical periods of development. In addition, different EDCs can interfere with different signaling pathways using different mechanisms, and when combined with other chemicals in mixtures, this can result in a wide variety of possible outcomes, most of which would be difficult to detect statistically.
Disruptors are divided into three categories:
Mimics - These disruptors are perceived by the body as genuine hormones because they elicit the same chemical reaction as natural hormones.
Blockers - These disruptors, by blocking the cell receptors, prevent naturally occurring hormones from affecting cells in the usual way.
Triggers – These disruptors elicit unusual or abnormal reactions in cells.
- Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the main concern discussed in the text?
The text discusses the increasing worldwide concern about environmental contaminants and naturally occurring compounds that have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates vital processes like development, growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
What triggered the debate about endocrine disruptors?
In the early 1990s, scientists in the United States initiated discussions about chemicals that could adversely affect the endocrine systems of humans and wildlife. The "Wingspread Consensus Statement" and publications like the BBC Horizon documentary "Assault on the Male" and the book "Our Stolen Future" by Theo Colborn, Dumanoski, and Myers further propelled this debate.
How are endocrine disruptors defined?
Endocrine disruptors are defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones responsible for maintaining homeostasis and regulating developmental processes. The European Commission defines them as exogenous substances that cause adverse health effects in an intact organism or its progeny due to changes in endocrine function.
How do endocrine disruptors affect the body?
Endocrine disruptors interact with the endocrine system and disrupt hormone homeostasis. They interfere with biochemical signaling mechanisms that activate gene expression. This interference can lead to adverse effects ranging from birth defects to subtle changes that manifest long after exposure. At lower levels, they can alter gene expression, leading to permanent endocrine system changes during critical developmental periods. The combined effects of multiple EDCs can be difficult to detect statistically.
What are the three categories of disruptors mentioned?
The three categories are:
- Mimics: Disruptors that the body perceives as genuine hormones.
- Blockers: Disruptors that prevent natural hormones from affecting cells.
- Triggers: Disruptors that elicit unusual or abnormal reactions in cells.
What types of chemicals are considered endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)?
The range of substances includes both natural (phytoestrogens) and manufactured (xenoestrogens) chemicals. Examples include: Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, nematocides), Bisphenol-A and phthalates, Pharmaceuticals (drug estrogens), nonylphenol, octylphenol, industrial chemicals (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxin, benzopyrene, and heavy metals (lead, mercury, and cadmium).
Are EDCs persistent in the environment?
Yes, some EDCs, particularly organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins, are persistent in the environment and can take years or decades to degrade.
What level of EDC exposure is considered potentially harmful?
Recent discoveries suggest that even extremely low, environmentally relevant doses of EDCs can elicit physiological responses that alter organism development and function.
- Quote paper
- Saptadeepa Roy (Author), 2011, Endocrine Disruption Aftermaths, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/177429
