1. [Perspectives on endocrine disruption].
- Author
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Olea N, Fernández MF, Araque P, and Olea-Serrano F
- Subjects
- Animals, Animals, Wild, Biomarkers, Environmental Exposure, Environmental Pollutants adverse effects, Environmental Pollutants toxicity, Estrogens, Non-Steroidal analysis, European Union, Female, Gonadal Steroid Hormones agonists, Gonadal Steroid Hormones antagonists & inhibitors, Guidelines as Topic, Humans, Male, Models, Animal, Pesticide Residues adverse effects, Pesticide Residues pharmacology, Pesticide Residues toxicity, Reproduction drug effects, Risk, Tissue Distribution, Endocrine System drug effects, Environmental Pollutants pharmacology
- Abstract
Two decades ago, reports of alterations in the reproductive function of some wild animal species and clear evidence of human and animal exposure to chemical substances with hormonal activity agonist and antagonist generated what is known now as the hypothesis of endocrine disruption. This is an emerging environmental health problem that has challenged some of the paradigms on which the control and regulation of the use of chemical compounds is based. The need to include in routine toxicology tests new research objectives that specifically refer to the development and growth of species and to the homeostasis and functionality of hormonal systems, has served to complicate both the evaluation of new compounds and the re-evaluation of existing ones. The repercussions on regulation and international trade have not taken long to be felt. On both sides of the Atlantic, screening systems for endocrine disrupters have been designed and established, and research programmes have been launched to characterise and quantify adverse effects on human and animal health and to develop preventive measures.
- Published
- 2002
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