Endocrine disrupter research reviewed by EPA Some 300 peer-reviewed scientific studies of trie eitects of chemicals on the endocrine systems of humans, laboratory animals, and wildlife are reviewed in an EPA report released March 13. A general research agenda is recommended in the 116-page document. The report highlights the importance of research on chemicals with the potential to disrupt human and animal endocrine systems, according to Robert Huggett, assistant administrator for the Office of Research and Development (ORD), who adds that such an investigation is one of EPA's top five research areas. Huggett emphasized that the document does not conclusively link
chemicals to adverse hormonal effects in humans. However, he said, "What we do have is a fairly conclusive body of evidence that links these effects to wildlife, and we are concerned about the potential to affect humans. That is why we are doing this research." The report notes that with only a few exceptions, no research has shown a causal relationship between exposure to a suspected endocrine disrupter and an adverse health effect in humans. The exceptions, according to the report, are chemical exposures in the workplace and the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES). Specifically, the report calls for more research on the intensity,
Chemical industry groups pledge $8 million for endocrine research The Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) announced it will fund $4 million in endocrine research over the next four years, starting this year with nearly $1 million to identify and develop chemical screening methods. Scientists from CMA member companies will set the research agenda. Member companies will likely receive some of the grant money to do research, said Sandra Tirey, CMA assistant vice president of regulatory affairs. Efforts will be made to prioritize chemicals of concern and study basic biological mechanisms that influence test results, Tirey said. Researchers will evaluate existing tests and determine how biological mechanisms influence risk assessment she added CMA also wants to study the effects of suspected endocrine disrupters in human and animal populations and hopes to collaborate with EPA and other groups on such efforts, according to Tirey. Results from this research will be made available to the public, mosdy through peer-reviewed scientific journals. CMA may also set up an advisory board of scientists outside the association she said. The Chlorine Chemistry Council (CCC), which has funded endocrine research since 1994, also announced in February it is fund-
ing $2 million for endocrine research over the next year. Ann Mason, director of science and regulatory policy, said one CCC projects looks at how newer, shortterm screening tests predict the need for long-term animal studies on a suspected endocrine disrupter. This work could provide data to EPA's Endocrine Disrupters Screening and Testing Advisory Committee. The CCC research effort will also focus in part on women's health and aquatic screening testing. —VINCENT LECLAIR
frequency, and duration of human exposure to chemicals that have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system of animals. The report also notes the need for research on the effects of chemical mixtures and calls for strengthening cause-and-effect data. On the basis of wildlife studies reviewed, the report concludes that it should be determined whether the adverse effects seen in animals at various sites are confined to isolated areas or are representative of more widespread conditions. Huggett notes the great difficulty in assessing chemicals and their effect on one or more species. In oysters, for instance, he pointed to a specific chemical, tributyltin, that has harmed Pacific oysters but has no impact on oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Among other recommendations are the need for chemical screening guidelines and for more exploration into the potential effects of endocrine disrupters on sensitive populations, particularly children. Huggett describes the report as an interim assessment and says it will be superseded by a more extensive review that is expected to be completed by the National Academy of Sciences this summer. "Special Report on Environmental Endocrine Disruption: An Effects Assessment and Analysis" is available from ORD at (513) 569-7562. —JEFF JOHNSON
International body says dioxin is a human carcinogen An international group of scientists, sponsored by the World Health Organization, has concluded that dioxin is a known human carcinogen. Previously the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) had defined polychlorinated dibenzo[p]dioxins as "possible human carcinogens." The elevation to the highest level of carcinogenicity followed meetings in Lyon, France, in February and much debate among the 25 participating scientists, according to George Lucier, chair of the working group and director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Science's environmental toxicology program. The new designation was due to a combination of better animal and human data and greater understanding of mechanisms of exposure that show comparable responses to dioxin among people and rodents, said Lucier. IARC noted in a statement that although direct epidemiological evidence for cancer caused by dioxin exposure in humans is limited, the mechanisms of action have been shown to be similar between humans and experimental animals. The human data came from studies of highly exposed workers as well as residents of Seveso, Italy, according to IARC. Consequently, Lucier noted that the document says little about the risk to humans from day-to-day exposure to low, background levels of dioxin, which is the subject of intense debate in the ongoing EPA dioxin risk reassessment. —JEFF JOHNSON
VOL. 3 1 , NO. 5, 1997 / ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / NEWS • 2 2 1 A
