Endocrinically active chemicals in the environment Expert round

At the invitation of the German Federal Environmental Agency 80 scientists from universities, research institutes, agencies of the Federal and Laender governments, from industries and environmental organizations on 9 and 10 March, 1995 participated in the expert round ''Hazards by endocrine chemicals in the environment'. The aim of the expert round was the discussion about the occurrence and impact of substances that have an endocrine effect, and on potential risks that may arise for humans and the environment. Papers covering several aspects of this topic were presented. The following conclusions were adopted after intense discussion: The possibility of an environmental influence on the hormonal control in organisms is scientifically indisputable. At present it is impossible to establish cause-effect relationships to explain detectable defective developments. Potential effects on humans and on nature are so tremendous that there is a need for immediate clarification. Progress relating to scientific studies that aim to clarify the role of estrogens for the development of organisms is most advanced. The following four classes of compounds should be considered when studying encocrine effects on humans and animals: 1. natural estrogens; 2. synthetic estrogens; 3. phyto- and mycoestrogens (substances in plants and fungi that have an estrogenic effect); chemicals in the environment. (orig./VHE)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8422(1996,3) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman