UN report: State of the Science of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Many chemicals found in household and industrial products that have not been adequately tested could have disrupting effects on the hormone system and lead to significant health issues, according to a new report. The report State of the Science of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals highlights some associations between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and health problems such as breast cancer in women, prostate cancer, attention deficit and hyperactivity in children as well as thyroid cancer.

The report was jointly produced by UNEP and the WHO and calls for more research to fully understand these associations. It also raises similar concerns on the impact of EDCs on wildlife. Exposure to such chemicals may contribute to reproductive defects, infertility and antler malformation in some deer populations. The otter and sea lion populations may also be at risk due to the chemical found in certain pesticides.

The report recommends further testing to identify EDCs and their routes of exposure to humans and wildlife. It also calls for wider collaboration among scientists so their shared data can fill in the current gaps in knowledge, primarily in developing countries.

UN Newscenter