The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with a working group of international experts, are taking a step forward by developing documents on endocrine disruptors, including scientific information on their impacts on human and wildlife health and key concerns for decision-makers and others concerned.
The work is based on the fact that endocrine systems are very similar across vertebrate species and that endocrine effects manifest themselves independently of species. The effects are endocrine-system related and not necessarily species dependent. Effects shown in wildlife or experimental animals may also occur in humans if they are exposed to EDCs at a vulnerable time and at concentrations leading to alterations of endocrine regulation. Of special concern are effects on early development of both humans and wildlife, as these effects are often irreversible and may not become evident until later in life. The third and final chapter of this document discusses exposure of humans and wildlife to EDCs and potential EDCs.
The full report can be downloaded from WHO/UNEP. “State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals – 2012” is an update of the scientific knowledge on endocrine disruptors as part of the ongoing collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to address concerns about the potential health effects of chemicals on humans and wildlife. The IPCP supports the initiative of WHO and UNEP and serves as a platform to advertise this relevant piece of information.
For more information about the IPCP’s activities regarding EDCs, see the EDC project page.