Endocrine Disruptors: The Issue Hits Closer to Home

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released for comment the approach it intends to use for selecting the first group of chemicals to be screened in its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP).

EPA is following a tiered approach in implementing its mandate under Section 408(p) of the Federal Food,Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Section 408(p) directs the agency to develop a screening program to determine whether certain substances might have hormonal effects in humans.

EPA chartered the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC) to provide advice and recommendations for developing a strategy to determine whether or not substances have an effect similar to the one produced by naturally occurring hormones. It recommended that EPA address effects on both humans and wildlife; examine effects on biological processes involving the estrogen, androgen and thyroid (EAT) hormones; and include pesticide chemicals, commercial chemicals and environmental contaminants within the scope of the program. Following
EDSTAC’s recommendations, EPA established the EDSP in 1998.