Organic pollutants as endocrine disruptors: Organometallics, PAHs, organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, phthalates, dioxins, phytoestrogens, alkyl phenols and bisphenol A

Abstract

Several natural or anthropogenic substances have endocrine disrupting properties that can modify the endocrine system of living organisms. This has led to increasing concern of the public. Results from animal models, human clinical observations, and epidemiological studies incriminate endocrine disrupting substances as a significant concern to public health. Estimation of health impacts of endocrine disruptors is complicated because some of these chemicals contribute to the occurrence of common diseases of multifactorial etiology such as infertility, cancer and neurobehavioral deficits. The difficulty of assessing public health effects is increased by the fact that people are typically exposed to multiple endocrine disruptors simultaneously. We review here natural and anthropogenic endocrine disrupting substances occurring in the environment. We discuss the potential effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors in humans and wildlife. This review focus on toxicity, environmental fate, ecological effects and metabolism of organometallic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, phthalates, dioxins, phytoestrogens, alkyl phenols and bisphenol A. Recent studies show that nonylphenol, bisphenol-A, flavonoids, isoflavonoids and some chlorinated pesticides modify thyroid hormone systems. Androgen mimicking chemicals in the environment can bioaccumulate and evolve through the food web. Exposure to androgenic substances can alter reproduction of all species including humans. Research should be focused on the identification of the life stages and species that are more vulnerable to the effects of endocrine disrupting compounds and how this mechanism of disruption affects populations and communities.