May 22, 1997

An important assessment on environmental endocrine disruption was issued recently by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Titled "Special Report on Environmental Endocrine Disruption: An Effects Assessment and Analysis," the report evaluates key scientific findings from human health and ecological studies on endocrine disruption.

After reviewing nearly 300 studies on the effects of substances suspected of disrupting the endocrine system for its special report, the EPA concludes, "with few exceptions (e.g., DES), a causal relationship between exposure to a specific environmental agent and an adverse effect on human health operating via an endocrine disruption mechanism has not been established."

Regarding ecological effects, the report finds, "the evidence that has accumulated in the scientific literature is compelling that the endocrine systems of certain fish and wildlife have indeed been disrupted by chemicals that contaminated their habitats. At present, it is not clear whether the adverse effects seen at various sites are confined to isolated areas or are representative of more widespread conditions. In many cases, the chemicals identified are ones that already have been identified as problem substances due to their toxicity and persistence (DDT, PCBs, heavy metals, etc.) and therefore are heavily regulated or banned from commercial use in the United States."

The Science Policy Council, an EPA senior staff group, has reviewed the report, which contains an "interim position" statement on the policy implications of the findings on endocrine disruption:

• EPA "does not consider endocrine disruption to be an adverse endpoint per se, but to be a mode or mechanism of action potentially leading to other outcomes, for example, carcinogenic, reproductive or developmental effects, routinely considered in reaching regulatory decisions. Evidence of endocrine disruption alone can influence priority setting for further testing..."

• "Further research and testing are needed to address existing gaps in knowledge concerning the consequences of endocrine disruption...The Agency is working with other federal agencies, as well as academic, international, and industry groups to expand the body of defensible and credible information and data on this issue."

The full text of the report is available on the Internet at (http://www.epa.gov/ORD/WebPubs/endocrine/) or from the EPA Office of Research and Development Publications Office, telephone 513.569.7562.