Are environmental chemicals with hormone-like properties a health problem?
Holme, J.A.; Dybing, E.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 117(1): 70-73
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 9064815 Document Number: 480283
Lately, a hypothesis linking higher frequency of testicular cancer, reduced semen quality and malformation of the male sexual organs with increased embryonic/foetal exposure to oestrogenic chemicals has received wide attention in the media. There are several examples where point-source chemical pollution has been convincingly associated with endocrine-related changes in wildlife. Such changes have also been reproduced in experimental studies. There is very little evidence, however, of such an association in humans. Nevertheless, the findings provide a clear challenge to toxicologists and epidemiologists in order to elucidate possible public health risks from environmental exposure to chemicals with hormone-like effects. Better test strategies and reproductive toxicity test guidelines are needed in order to assess any such risks, and to provide a basis for possible regulatory action.