Endocrine effects of prenatal exposures to PCBs, dioxins, and other xenobiotics: Implications for policy and future research

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.94102676· OSTI ID:6870345

Birnbaum, L S ^[1]

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1. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)

Recent findings have raised the level of concern that chemicals in the environment can interfere with the endocrine systems of both people and wildlife. It has been reported that in men, sperm counts have decreased over the last 50 years. There appears to be an increase in cryptorchidism (undescended testicles), testicular cancer, and hypospadias (abnormal urethral opening). Young girls are reaching puberty earlier, the incidence of endometriosis is increasing, and the age of onset of endometriosis may be decreasing. Breast cancer incidence has increased approximately 1% per year over the past 50 years. Many of these conditions could be associated with elevated exposure to estrogens, either prenatally or during early post-natal life. 53 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6870345
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States) Vol. 102:8; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200 -- Biochemistry
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
BODY
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DIOXIN
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ESTROGENS
GLANDS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HORMONES
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS
STEROID HORMONES
TOXICITY