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Researchers develop testing system for endocrine disrupting chemicals
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Chemists have the choice whether or not to develop endocrine disrupting chemicals, an article published in the journal Green Chemistry suggests. Researchers from North Carolina State University, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and other institutions, have developed Tiered Protocol for Endocrine Disruption, a testing system which can be applied during different times of the chemical design process.
“In order to reduce our exposure to endocrine disruptors, we have to ensure that new products entering the market do not contain them,” researcher and associate professor of biology at North Carolina State University, Heather B. Patisaul, PhD, said in a press release. “The goal of this project is to develop an effective strategy for chemists, engineers, and manufacturers to identify potential endocrine disruptors before they are used in commercial products. Identifying these types of chemicals early in the design process will ultimately help ensure that we develop the safest products possible, which benefits consumers.”
According to the researchers, the Tiered Protocol for Endocrine Disruption (TiPED) consists of five testing tiers:
- Computation-based assessments
- High-throughput in vitro and in vivo screens (HTS)
- In vitro whole cell activity assessment
- Fish and amphibian whole animal assessment
- Mammalian whole animal assessment
When endocrine disrupting chemicals are not found in any one tier, the user would then move on to testing at the next highest tier, the researchers wrote. They conclude that using this EDC test has the potential to resolve further use of EDCs.
Disclosure:The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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