ENVIRONMENTAL ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION - AN EFFECTS ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS

This report is an overview of the current state of the science relativ e to environmental endocrine disruption in humans, laboratory testing, and wildlife species. Background information is presented on the fiel d of endocrinology, the nature of hormones, and potential sites for en docrine disruption, with specific examples of chemicals affecting thes e sires. An attempt is made to present objectively the issue of endocr ine disruption, consider working hypotheses, offer opposing viewpoints , analyze the available information, and provide a reasonable assessme nt of the problem. Emphasis is placed on disruption of central nervous system-pituitary integration of hormonal and sexual behavioral activi ty, female and male reproductive system development and function, and thyroid function. In addition, the potential role of environmental end ocrine disruption in the induction of breast, testicular, and prostate cancers, Bs well as endometriosis, is evaluated. The interrelationshi p of the endocrine and immune system is documented. With respect to en docrine-related ecological effects, specific case examples from the pe er-reviewed literature of marine invertebrates and representatives of the five classes of vertebrates are presented and discussed. The repor t identifies some data gaps in our understanding of the environmental endocrine disruption issue and recommends a few research needs. Finall y, the report states the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Policy Council's interim position on endocrine disruption and lists so me of the ongoing activities to deal with this matter.