Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

8-1996

Journal

Environmental Health Perspectives

Volume

104

Issue

Supp. 4

First Page

715

Last Page

740

Abstract

The hypothesis has been put forward that humans and wildlife species have suffered adverse health effects after exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Reported adverse effects include declines in populations, increases in cancers, and reduced reproductive function. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsored a workshop in April 1995 to bring together interested parties in an effort to identify research gaps related to this hypothesis and to establish priorities for future research activities. Approximately 90 invited participants were organized into work groups developed around the principal reported health effects-carcinogenesis, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity--as well as along the risk assessment paradigm--hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Attention focused on both ecological and human health effects. In general, the group felt that the hypothesis warranted a concerted research effort to evaluate its validity and that research should focus primarily on effects on development of reproductive capability, on improved exposure assessment, and on the effects of mixtures. This report summarizes the discussions of the work groups and details the recommendations for additional research.

DOI

DOI: 10.1289/ehp.96104s4715

Keywords

endocrine disruptors; hormones; risk assessment; carcinogenesis; reproductive toxicity; developmental toxicity; immunotoxicity

Download

Share Feedback

Share

COinS