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Endocrine Disruptors Research
Searches
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does ORD have an Endocrine Disruptors
Research Program?
How does the STAR Program contribute
to EPA’s Endocrine Disruptors Research?
What are Endocrine Disruptors?
Why does ORD have an Endocrine Disruptors Research Program?
- Evidence suggests that environmental exposure to EDCs may cause adverse health effects in human and wildlife populations.
- Considerable uncertainty exists regarding the relationship(s) between adverse health outcomes and exposure to environmental contaminants.
- In 1996, through the enactment of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), the U.S. Congress directed EPA to screen pesticides for estrogenic activity in humans using validated studies or other scientifically relevant information and gave the Agency discretionary authority to screen for other endocrine effects as well.
- The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments (SWDA) of 1996, authorized EPA to screen drinking water contaminants for similar activities.
- ORD strives to improve our knowledge and understanding of endocrine disruptors in the environment so that we can improve our methods of assessment and risk management
- ORD’s Endocrine Disruptor Research Program conducts both basic and applied research to develop the fundamental scientific principles used by the EPA program and regional offices in making risk assessment decisions.
How does the STAR Program contribute to EPA’s Endocrine Disruptors Research?
- The Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program is the extramural grants program of ORD.
- The STAR Program supports grants for research on EDCs on topics that complement EPA’s in-house research.
- The STAR Program encourages collaborative, multidisciplinary projects to improve our understanding of EDC sources, fate and transport, exposures, biomarkers, and effects on individuals and populations.
- The aim of STAR research on EDCs is to provide improved methods, data, and models that will lead to improved hazard assessments and reduced uncertainties in ecological and human risk assessments for EDCs.
For Additional Information and Questions Contact:
Elaine Francis, National Program Director, EPA Endocrine Disruptors Research
Program- francis.elaine@epa.gov
Susan Laessig, STAR Endocrine Disruptors Research Project Officer- laessig.susan@epa.gov
Background Facts
What are Endocrine Disruptors?
- Endocrine disruptors are basically chemicals with the potential to interfere with the function of endocrine systems.
- Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action, or elimination of the natural hormones in the body responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis and the regulation of developmental processes.
- EDCs can include man-made chemicals such as pesticides and plasticizers, natural chemicals found in plants (phytoestrogens), pharmaceuticals, or hormones that are excreted in animal or human waste.