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WHO, UN release joint report on endocrine disrupting chemicals
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WHO and the United Nations Environment Program recently released a report, titled State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, calling for closer examination of the link between endocrine disrupting chemicals and various diseases and disorders, according to a press release.
Specifically, to improve knowledge about endocrine disrupting chemicals and their effects, the report recommends the following:
- More comprehensive testing methods for known endocrine disrupting chemicals and testing for other possible endocrine disruptors, their sources and potential modes of exposure.
- More research to identify the effects of mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals on humans and wildlife.
- Better reporting to gather more information on chemicals in products, materials and goods.
- Increased collaboration and data sharing among researchers and across countries, primarily in developing countries and emerging economies, to fill research gaps.
“Investing in new testing methods and research can enhance understanding of the costs of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and assist in reducing risks, maximizing benefits and spotlighting more intelligent options and alternatives that reflect a transition to a green economy,” Achim Steiner, U.N. Under Secretary-General and United Nations Environment Program executive director, said in a press release.
The study also cites health conditions to which endocrine disrupting chemicals potentially contribute, including non-descended testes in young men, breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, developmental effects on the nervous system in children, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and thyroid cancer.
“We urgently need more research to obtain a fuller picture of the health and environmental impacts of endocrine disruptors,” Maria Neira, MD, WHO’s director for Public Health and Environment, said in the release. “The latest science shows that communities across the globe are being exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals and their associated risks. WHO will work with partners to establish research priorities to investigate links to endocrine disrupting chemicals and human health impacts in order to mitigate the risks. We all have a responsibility to protect future generations.”
To view the full report, visit http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/endocrine/en/index.html.