Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Many synthetic chemicals found in pesticides and other agricultural products have been linked to a long list of very serious human and animal health problems, including cancers, infertility, thyroid dysfunction, birth defects, behavioural problems, immune system suppression and deformities of the reproductive organs.endocrine disrupting chemicals

Significantly, the body's endocrine system has been found to be disrupted by many of these artificial chemicals. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is the term used to refer to these chemicals.

The endocrine system is responsible for the hormone production, regulation and utilisation of all hormones in the body and the chemical messengers that trigger these processes. The system is responsible for growth, sexual development and many other essential functions. Organs in the endocrine system include thyroid, pituitary, testicles, ovaries, and adrenal glands.

Adults are adversely affected by EDCs but it is the developing organism that is especially vulnerable. Exposure at this sensitive time may cause effects that are not evident until later in life, such as effects on learning ability, behaviour, reproduction and increased susceptibility to cancer and other diseases.endocrine disrupting chemicals

The pesticides listed below are registered in New Zealand and are known to cause endocrine disruption in animals:

Herbicides: 2,4-D, alachlor, amitrole, atrazine, bromoxynil, ioxynil, methribuzin, picloram, simazine, trifluralin.

Insecticides: carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dichlorvos, dicofol, dimethoate, endosulfan, esfervalerate, fenitrothion, fenvalerate, fipronil, fluvalinate, Lambda-cyhalothrin, malathion, methomyl, methoxychlor, methyl parathion, permethrin, phenothrin, tributlytin.

Fungicides: benomyl, fenarimol, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, orthophenyl, phenol, vinclozolin, zineb, ziram.

From Lyons (1999); Moses (1999); Smolen (1999).

Lyons, G. 1999. Endocrine disrupting pesticides. Pesticide News No. 46:16-19. Montague, P. 1999. Endocrine disruptors - time for action? Rachel's Environment & Health Weekly No.655.

Moses, M. 1999. Pesticides - killers in our midst. In: Mourin, J. (ed.). 1999. Warning: Pesticides Are Dangerous to Your Health! Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Asia and the Pacific, Penang. 8-15.

Smolen, M. 1999. Endocrine disruption: new threats from old chemicals. In: Mourin, J. (ed.). 1999. Warning: Pesticides Are Dangerous to Your Health! Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Asia and the Pacific, Penang. 26-38.