| Title: |
The impacts of endocrine disrupters on wildlife, people and their environments – The Weybridge+15 (1996–2011) report
|
| Resource Type: |
document --> technical publication --> proceedings / conference paper(s)
|
| Country: |
European Union
|
| Year of publication: |
2012 |
| Availability: |
Technical report No 2/2012
|
| Author 1/Producer: |
European Environment Agency
|
| Author / Producer Type: |
Agency, regulator or other governmental or inter-governmental body
|
|
EUGRIS Keyword(s): |
Contaminated land-->Contaminants-->Others
Diffuse pollution-->Contaminants-->Pesticides
Water and sanitation-->Wastewater
Water and sanitation-->Water and sanitation
Water and sanitation-->Water supply
Water resources and their management -->Stresses, quality and ecological status
|
| Short description: |
Rates of endocrine diseases and disorders, such as some reproductive and developmental harm in human populations, have changed in line with the growth of the chemical industry, leading to concerns that these factors may be linked. For example, the current status of semen quality in the few European countries where studies have been systematically conducted, is very poor: fertility in approximately 40 % of men is impaired. There is also evidence of reproductive and developmental harm linked to impairments in endocrine function in a number of wildlife species, particularly in environments that are contaminated by cocktails of chemicals that are in everyday use. Based on the human and wildlife evidence, many scientists are concerned about chemical pollutants being able to interfere with the normal functioning of hormones, so-called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), that could play a causative role in these diseases and disorders. If this holds true, then these 'early warnings' signal a failure in environmental protection that should be addressed.
|
| Long description: |
Chemicals which can potentially disrupt the endocrine system can be found in food, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, household products and cosmetics. In recent decades, there has been a significant growth in many human diseases and disorders including breast and prostate cancer, male infertility and diabetes. Many scientists think that this growth is connected to the rising levels of exposure to mixtures of some chemicals in widespread use.
'Scientific research gathered over the last few decades shows us that endocrine disruption is a real problem, with serious effects on wildlife, and possibly people', EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said. 'It would be prudent to take a precautionary approach to many of these chemicals until their effects are more fully understood.'
|
|
Submitted By:
|
Professor Paul Bardos WhoDoesWhat?
Last update: 10/05/2012
|
|
|
