[Pharmwaste] Endocrine Disruption article from Our Stolen Future
Tenace, Laurie
Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us
Thu, 23 Jun 2005 16:14:58 -0400
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=20
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Consensus/2005-0620praguesynopsis.htm
=20
In June 2005, over 100 research scientists actively involved in research =
on
endocrine disrupters from 15 countries issued a joint, signed statement
raising concerns about endocrine disruption. "In view of the magnitude =
of the
potential risks associated with endocrine disrupters, we strongly =
believe
that scientific uncertainty should not delay precautionary action on =
reducing
the exposures to and the risks from endocrine disrupters."=20
Their analysis can be downloaded as a PDF
<http://www.edenresearch.info/public/Prague%20Declaration%2017%20June%202=
005.
pdf> from the EDEN website (funded by the European Commission). [for =
HTML
version
<http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Consensus/2005-0620praguedeclaration.htm>=
]=20
In their statement, the scientists conclude that current safety =
standards are
ill-equipped to deal with risks caused by endocrine disrupters and that
current testing procedures may lead to serious underestimations of risk. =
Effects on wildlife are well-documented. People are exposed, including =
early
on in life when sensitivity to disruption can be especially high. There =
are
inherent difficulties in establishing causality in humans... having to =
do
with the unethical nature of planned experiments on people, the reality =
of
ubiquitous mixtures each component of which may contribute to effects, =
long
latencies between exposure and effect, etc. such that real impacts may =
easily
be missed. The Prague Declaration scientists "are convinced that failure =
to
demonstrate direct links between hormone-related disorders and exposure =
to
chemicals should not be taken to indicate an absence of risks."=20
They conclude with a series of policy and research recommendations:
Policy=20
* "Scientific uncertainty should not delay precautionary action for
risk reduction."=20
* "Though screening assays are not adequate as a basis for risk
assessment, they should be utilised to trigger precautionary regulatory
action on the basis of the rebuttable assumption that positive results =
may
indicate risks."=20
* "The substances already known to have endocrine disrupting properties
should be included in the proposed European chemicals regulation REACH, =
and
subject to the authorisation procedure."=20
* "Steps should be taken to restrict inherently the use of persistent
chemicals, e.g. brominated flame retardants in order to halt their =
build-up
in humans and the=20
environment."=20
* "The release of endocrine disrupters from sewage treatment works
should be reduced significantly."=20
* "Relevant data from animal testing, including by industry
laboratories, should be made publicly available whenever possible."=20
Research
* More data are required to obtain a complete picture of the full array
of endocrine disrupters in the environment. This should include =
gathering of
data on body burden of EDCs that would allow geographic comparisons =
across
regions with marked differences in relevant health disorders.=20
* "Further understanding of the possible modes of action of endocrine
disrupters is required in order to recognise organism functions that =
might be
at risk. "=20
* "The effects of endocrine disruptors on a wider array of cellular
signalling pathways needs to be elucidated, in particular those closely
linked to disease conditions."=20
* "The development of new assays and screening methods for the
identification of endocrine disrupters relevant to humans and wildlife =
should
be pursued with urgency."=20
* "More mechanistic information regarding how endocrine disruptors are
involved in human disease is required."=20
* Further systematic work on mixture effects will be needed to underpin
better risk assessment procedures.=20
* "The consequences of endocrine disruption in wildlife for the balance
and well-being of ecosystems should be pursued with urgency because some =
case
studies have already shown that endocrine disrupters pose a threat for
biodiversity."=20
* "In wildlife research, mechanistic work linking effects seen at the
organism level to population-level and ecosystems effects should be
encouraged. "=20
* Special programmes focusing on the detection of possible effects on
the newborn child giving rise to problems in childhood and adulthood =
should
be initiated in order to overcome the challenge of possible long =
temporary
breach between exposure episode and overt adverse outcome.=20
=20
=20
=20
Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us
=20
view our mercury web pages at:=20
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm
=20
=20
=20
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style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'> </span></font></p>
</td>
<td rowspan=3D2 style=3D'padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><a
=
href=3D"http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Consensus/2005-0620praguesynopsis.=
htm">http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Consensus/2005-0620praguesynopsis.htm=
</a></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>In June 2005, over 100 research scientists =
actively
involved in research on endocrine disrupters from 15 countries issued =
a
joint, signed statement raising concerns about endocrine disruption. =
"In
view of the magnitude of the potential risks associated with endocrine
disrupters, we strongly believe that scientific uncertainty should not =
delay
precautionary action on reducing the exposures to and the risks from
endocrine disrupters." </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Their analysis can be <a
=
href=3D"http://www.edenresearch.info/public/Prague%20Declaration%2017%20J=
une%202005.pdf"
target=3D"_blank">downloaded as a PDF</a> from the EDEN website =
(funded by the
European Commission). </span></font><font size=3D1 =
face=3DVerdana><span
style=3D'font-size:7.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>[<a
=
href=3D"http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Consensus/2005-0620praguedeclarati=
on.htm">for
HTML version</a>]</span></font><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>In their statement, the scientists conclude that =
current
safety standards are ill-equipped to deal with risks caused by =
endocrine
disrupters and that current testing procedures may lead to serious
underestimations of risk. </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Effects on wildlife are well-documented. People =
are
exposed, including early on in life when sensitivity to disruption can =
be
especially high. There are inherent difficulties in establishing =
causality in
humans... having to do with the unethical nature of planned =
experiments on
people, the reality of ubiquitous mixtures each component of which may
contribute to effects, long latencies between exposure and effect, =
etc. such
that real impacts may easily be missed. The Prague Declaration =
scientists
"</span></font><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>are convinced that failure to demonstrate direct =
links
between hormone-related disorders and exposure to chemicals should not =
be
taken to indicate an absence of risks.</span></font><font size=3D3
face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>" </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>They conclude with a series of policy and =
research
recommendations:</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><i><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-style:italic'>Policy </span></font></i></p>
<ul type=3Ddisc>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"Scientific uncertainty should not =
delay
precautionary action for risk reduction."</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"Though screening assays are not =
adequate as a
basis for risk assessment, they should be utilised to trigger
precautionary regulatory action on the basis of the rebuttable
assumption that positive results may indicate =
risks."</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"The substances already known to have
endocrine disrupting properties should be included in the =
proposed
European chemicals regulation REACH, and subject to the =
authorisation
procedure." </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"Steps should be taken to restrict =
inherently
the use of persistent chemicals, e.g. brominated flame retardants =
in
order to halt their build-up in humans and the =
</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana'><br>
</span></font><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>environment." </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"The release of endocrine disrupters =
from
sewage treatment works should be reduced =
significantly."</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"Relevant data from animal testing, =
including
by industry laboratories, should be made publicly available =
whenever
possible."</span></font><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'> =
</span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><i><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-style:italic'>Research</span></font></i></p>
<ul type=3Ddisc>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>More data are required to obtain a complete =
picture
of the full array of endocrine disrupters in the environment. =
This
should include gathering of data on body burden of EDCs that =
would allow
geographic comparisons across regions with marked differences in
relevant health disorders.</span></font><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"Further understanding of the possible =
modes
of action of endocrine disrupters is required in order to =
recognise
organism functions that might be at risk. " =
</span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"The effects of endocrine disruptors on =
a
wider array of cellular signalling pathways needs to be =
elucidated, in
particular those closely linked to disease =
conditions."</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"The development of new assays and =
screening
methods for the identification of endocrine disrupters relevant =
to
humans and wildlife should be pursued with =
urgency."</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"More mechanistic information regarding =
how
endocrine disruptors are involved in human disease is =
required." </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Further systematic work on mixture effects =
will be
needed to underpin better risk assessment =
procedures.</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"The consequences of endocrine =
disruption in
wildlife for the balance and well-being of ecosystems should be =
pursued
with urgency because some case studies have already shown that =
endocrine
disrupters pose a threat for =
biodiversity."</span></font><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>"In wildlife research, mechanistic work
linking effects seen at the organism level to population-level =
and
ecosystems effects should be encouraged. " =
</span></font></li>
<li class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DVerdana><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Special programmes focusing on the detection =
of
possible effects on the newborn child giving rise to problems in
childhood and adulthood should be initiated in order to overcome =
the
challenge of possible long temporary breach between exposure =
episode and
overt adverse outcome. </span></font></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style=3D'padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'> </span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Laurie
J. Tenace</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Environmental
Specialist</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Florida
Department of Environmental Protection</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>2600</span></font><font
size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> Blair Stone Road, =
MS</span></font><font
size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'> 4555</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>Tallahassee</span></font><font
size=3D2><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>, Florida =
32399-2400</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>PH:
(850) 245-8759</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>FAX:
(850) 245-8811</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><a
href=3D"mailto:Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us">Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.=
us</a></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>view
our mercury web pages at: </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><a
href=3D"http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm">=
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm</a></span=
></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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