Endocrine Disrupting Compounds

Background
In 1962, Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” introduced the nation to the profound and deleterious effects that chemicals can have on the environment and human health. One of the latest manifestations of this concern has focused on the impacts resulting from chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system. The sources, nature, and functions of these endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are very complex; consequently, their potential biological and ecological impacts have fueled scientific concern, public debate, and media attention. Despite two decades of evidence indicating strong plausibility of damage to human and wildlife physiological functions, the scientific community remains unclear on the role EDCs play in observed reproductive abnormalities and population declines in wildlife, or shifts in human health, development, and reproduction.

In the fall of 2006, the Mid-Atlantic awoke to news reports of eggs growing with male fish found in several Potomac River tributaries.  As in similar cases from other areas, scientists suspect that the high incidence of this intersex condition might be linked to the presence of chemicals in the water - specifically, EDCs. 

Documents
"The ABCs of EDCs" Factsheet

Regional Activities

"Endocrine Disrupting Compounds: What We Know and What We Don't"
To ensure that Chesapeake Bay jurisdictions are appropriately addressing EDC-related concerns and the effects they might have on citizens and environments, the Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC), Mid-Atlantic Water Program (MAWP), and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) hosted a science forum on November 16, 2006 with many of the region's and nation's leading EDC scientists.

"Endocrine Disruptors: The ABCs of EDCs"
On March 13, 2007, the sponsors teamed with Hood College to present the data from the November forum to a broader audience of interested stakeholders.  The sponsors have also made the findings of the earlier forum available in a fact sheet.

For more information, please contact:
Daphne Pee
University of Maryland
Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Program

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Page Last Updated On: June 20, 2007