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This site provides information about the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) and EPA's approach and progress for screening and testing
chemicals for potential endocrine effects. If you are new to the topic of endocrine disruption you might want to read the EDSP Overview and EDSP Primer for more detailed information on the endocrine system and the EDSP.
In recent years, some scientists have proposed that certain chemicals might be disrupting the endocrine system of humans and wildlife. A variety of chemicals have been found to disrupt the endocrine systems of animals in laboratory studies, and compelling evidence shows that endocrine systems of certain fish and wildlife have been affected by chemical contaminants, resulting in developmental and reproductive problems. Based on this and other evidence, Congress passed the Food Quality Protection Act in 1996, requiring that EPA initiate EDSP to screen pesticide chemicals and environmental contaminants for their potential to affect the endocrine systems of humans and wildlife.
Highlights
EDSP Program Status Questions and Answers
Draft Policies and Procedures for the EDSP
Endocrine disruptor screening is currently proceeding on three fronts: 1) Performing scientific and technical testing needed to validate the endocrine disruptor screens and tests; 2) Setting priorities for selecting chemicals for initial screening and testing; and 3) Developing the policies and procedures the Agency will use to require testing.
In June 2007, EPA published a Federal Register Notice (PDF) (18 pp, 131K, About PDF) announcing the draft list of initial pesticide active ingredients and pesticide inerts to be considered for screening under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. This list includes 73 chemicals to be screened under Tier 1 of the program. More information about the draft list. After considering comments on this draft list of chemicals, EPA will issue a second Federal Register Notice containing the final list of chemicals. Nothing in the approach for generating the initial list provides a basis to infer that any of the chemicals selected interfere with or are suspected to interfere with the endocrine systems of humans or other species.
In December 2007, EPA published a Federal Register Notice (PDF) (21 pp, 144K, About PDF) announcing the draft policies and procedures for the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program that EPA is considering adopting, including the statutory requirements associated with and format of the test orders, as well as EPA's procedures for fair and equitable sharing of test costs and data confidentiality. More information about the draft policies and procedures. After considering comments on the draft policies and procedures, EPA will issue a second Federal Register Notice containing the final policies and procedures.
