EPA to expand chemicals testing for endocrine disruption
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Wed, 11/17/2010 - 10:19am
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Tuesday that it has identified a list of 134 chemicals that will be screened for their potential to disrupt the endocrine system.
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interact with and possibly disrupt the hormones produced or secreted by the human or animal endocrine system, which regulates growth, metabolism and reproduction. The EPA says that Administrator Lisa Jackson has made ensuring the safety of chemicals a top priority, and this is another step in that process.
Endocrine disruptors have been identified as a serious health concern for the American people, especially children. Americans today are exposed to more chemicals in consumer products and the environment than ever before.
A study by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in 2007-2008 sampled 12 lakes and 4 rivers around the state, and found endocrine disruptors and other contaminants present in all cases, including Northern Light Lake in Cook County. The lakes and rivers sampled in the study were selected to represent a wide range of land use and development. Northern Light Lake, in Cook County, was chosen as a reference lake because of its remote location and absence of development. Researchers expected the lake to be free of chemical contamination, but it didn’t turn out that way. Several chemicals were found in the sediment and surface water of Northern Light Lake, including carbamazepine, a drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the painkiller acetaminophen, Bisphenol A, and the insecticide DEET.
In the last decade, studies have revealed that endocrine disrupting chemicals are present in virtually every watershed in the United States, and there is growing concern that even at low concentrations, these chemicals are adversely affecting fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.
More than 80,000 chemicals are manufactured worldwide and an unknown number may possess endocrine disrupting properties. These chemicals are used to manufacture products used by consumers every day. The chemicals listed for screening by the EPA include those used in products such as solvents, gasoline, plastics, personal care products, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, including benzene, perchlorate, urethane, ethylene glycol, and erythromycin. Also on the list are chemicals that have been identified as priorities under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and may be found in sources of drinking water where a substantial number of people may be exposed.
After public comment and review, EPA will issue test orders to pesticide registrants and the manufacturers of these chemicals to compel them to generate data to determine whether their chemicals may disrupt the estrogen, androgen and thyroid pathways of the endocrine system.
EPA is already screening an initial group of 67 pesticide chemicals. In October 2009, the agency issued orders to companies requiring endocrine disruptor screening program data for these chemicals. EPA will begin issuing orders for this second group of 134 chemicals beginning in 2011.
For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/endo
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