6533b7d2fe1ef96bd125e852

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Elaboration of a method to categorize substances of interest as regards to their potential endocrine disrupting activity: assessment and categorization of prioritized substances

subject

description

EDCs are substances that alter function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects. The endocrine system consists of many cells and tissues that interact with each other and the rest of the body by means of hormones. This system is responsible for controlling a large number of processes in the body from gamete formation, to conception and early developmental processes such as organogenesis, and to most tissue and organ functions throughout life. EDCs interfere with endocrine function by many ways and, in doing so, lead to adverse effects on the health of humans and/or wildlife. Some of the observed health effects associated with EDCs include, butare not limited to cancer, reproductive, developmental, immunological, neurological, metabolic disorders and obesity. More background information on endocrine disruption and the endocrine system is available in the report “State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals – 2012” from UNEP/WHO, 2012.The definition of an endocrine disrupter proposed by WHO/IPCS (2002), which is internationally accepted by scientific consensus stated that:An endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub) populations.A potential endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance or mixture that possesses properties that might be expected to lead to endocrine disruption in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations.