Endocrine Disruptors: Research Needs and Priorities, 1998

摘要

The document provides an analysis of the Inventory of Federally funded research211u001eon endocrine disrupting chemicals prepared by the Working Group. Federal agencies 211u001eare currently funding several hundred research projects relating to endocrine 211u001edisruption, and there is also a considerable amount of basic research funded by 211u001ethe Federal government on the biochemistry of hormones and their regulation and 211u001econtrol of physiological processes. The Inventory indicates that the largest 211u001eefforts are in human health research, which is clearly dominant over ecological 211u001eand exposure research. Reproductive and developmental toxicity endpoints are 211u001ereceiving considerable attention in both human and ecological research, while 211u001ecarcinogenicity and neurotoxicity studies are well represented in human health, 211u001ebut not in ecological research. Few studies are underway in the area of 211u001eimmunotoxicity. On-going research also addresses only a limited number of 211u001eorganisms and agents. The non-human species most studied are laboratory mammals, 211u001ewith fish the most prevalent group in studies focused on species from the natural 211u001eenvironment. PCBs, dioxins, and persistent pesticides are the most commonly 211u001estudied chemical classes, with little attention being given to other chemicals, 211u001esuch as alkylphenols, phthalate esters, or nonpersistent pesticides.