Potential Endocrine Disrupters Screened in EPA List of Chemicals

134 chemical were identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for screening. The purpose is to identify possible disruptive effects on the endocrine system. Chemicals that may interference with the body’s endocrine system, disrupting its development, reproduction, neurology, and immunity are called endocrine disruptors. The safety of the identified chemicals is crucial, and the next step in the EPA process.

 

“Endocrine disruptors represent a serious health concern for the American people, especially children. Americans today are exposed to more chemicals in our products, our environment and our bodies than ever before, and it is essential that EPA takes every step to gather information and prevent risks,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We are using the best available science to examine a larger list of chemicals and ensure that they are not contaminating the water we drink and exposing adults and children to potential harm.”

 

Several of the chemicals thus identified could be found in drinking water sources, posing a serious threat to a large number of people exposed to it. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) lists several of the chemicals in the EPA list as priorities. Moreover, the EPA’s registration review program is evaluating many of the chemicals in the list that have pesticide active ingredients, in order to ensure that they comply with the current scientific and regulatory standards. The review program will help pave the way forward, identifying the need, if any, for further tests or steps to deal with the endocrine disrupting chemicals.

 

Gasoline, personal care pesticides, plastics, products, solvents, and pharmaceuticals, including benzene, ethylene glycol, erythromycin, perchlorate, and urethane are some of the products that contain the identified chemicals.

 

The Endocrine Disruption Screening Program (EDSP) is authorized to use validated methods to screen and test chemicals to identify potential endocrine disruptors, determine adverse effects, dose-response, assess risk, and manage risk under current laws.

 

The document ‘Draft Policies and Procedures for Screening Safe Drinking Water Act Chemicals’ available at http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/contentStreamer?objectId=0900006480b953c1&disposition=attachment&contentType=html, was drafted to explain the policies and procedures relevant to the Endocrine Disruption Screening Program EDSP SDWA chemicals.