Fifteen Years after “Wingspread”– Environmental Endocrine Disrupters and Human and Wildlife Health: Where We Are Today and Where We Need to Go

Citation

Hotchkiss, Andrew K.; Rider, Cynthia V.; Blystone, Chad R.; Wilson, Vickie S.; Hartig, Phillip C.; Ankley, Gerald T.; Foster, Paul M.; Gray, Clark L.; & Gray, Leon Earl, Jr. (2008). Fifteen Years after “Wingspread”-- Environmental Endocrine Disrupters and Human and Wildlife Health: Where We Are Today and Where We Need to Go. Toxicological Sciences, 105(2), 235-259. PMCID: PMC2721670

Abstract

In 1991 a group of expert scientists at a Wingspread work session on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) concluded that "Many compounds introduced into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Endocrine disruption can be profound because of the crucial role hormones play in controlling development." Since that time, there have been numerous documented examples of adverse effects of EDCs in invertebrates, fish, wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Hormonal systems can be disrupted by numerous different anthropogenic chemicals including anti-androgens, androgens, estrogens, AhR agonists, inhibitors of steroid hormone synthesis, antithyroid substances, and retinoid agonists. In addition, pathways and targets for endocrine disruption extend beyond the traditional estrogen/androgen/thyroid (EAT) receptor-mediated reproductive and developmental systems. For example, scientists have expressed concern about the potential role of EDCs in increasing trends in early puberty in girls, obesity and type II diabetes in the US and other populations. New concerns include complex endocrine alterations induced by mixtures of chemicals, an issue broadened due to the growing awareness that EDCs present in the environment include a variety of potent human and veterinary pharmaceutical products, personal care products, nutraceuticals and phytosterols. In this review we 1) address what have we learned about the effects of EDCs on fish, wildlife, and human health, 2) discuss representative animal studies on (anti)androgens, estrogens and TCDD-like chemicals, and 3) evaluate regulatory proposals being considered for screening and testing these chemicals.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfn030

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2008

Journal Title

Toxicological Sciences

Author(s)

Hotchkiss, Andrew K.
Rider, Cynthia V.
Blystone, Chad R.
Wilson, Vickie S.
Hartig, Phillip C.
Ankley, Gerald T.
Foster, Paul M.
Gray, Clark L.
Gray, Leon Earl, Jr.

PMCID

PMC2721670

ORCiD

Gray, C - 0000-0002-6667-7909