Endocrine Disruptors During recent years, numerous newspaper and magazine articles have suggested that humans may be at risk because small amounts of well known environmental contaminants, such as dioxin, PCBs and DDT, can affect hormone levels. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system as regulators of biological function in target organs. Because hormones play a critical role in early development, toxicological effects on the endocrine system often have an impact on the reproductive system. The term endocrine disruptor is used to describe chemicals that can mimic hormones and may either enhance or counteract their effects. It has been suggested that these hormone changes can, in turn, lead to a variety of health problems including cancer, decreased fertility, and abnormalities in newborns. Evidence provided to support these claims of human and wildlife harm is largely from laboratory studies in which large doses are fed to test animals, usually rats or mice, and field studies of wildlife species that have been exposed to the chemicals mentioned above. In laboratory studies, high doses are required to give weak hormone activity. These doses are not likely to be encountered in the environment. However the process of bioaccumulation can result in top-level predators such as humans to have contaminants at levels many million times greater than the environmental background levels (Guilette 1994). In field studies, toxicity caused by endocrine disruption has been associated with the presence of certain pollutants. Findings from such studies include: reproductive disruption in starfish due to PCBs, bird eggshell thinning due to DDT, reproductive failure in mink, small penises in alligators due to DDT and dicofol (Guillette 1994, Colburn et al 1996). In addition, a variety of reproductive problems in many other species are claimed to be associated with environmental contamination although the specific causative agents have not been determined. One recent discovery that complicates the situation is that there are many naturally occurring "phytoestrogens", or chemicals of plant origin that exhibit weak estrogenic properties. Pesticides that behave like the female hormone estrogens can have serious effects on reproductive success and function on animal exposed to them. Reproductive success or fitness is defined by having live reproductively capable off... ... middle of paper ... ...oney, Andrew A. and Daniel B. Pickford. 1995. Organisation versus Activation: The role of Endocrine-disrupting Contaminants (EDCS) during Embryonic Development in wildlife. Environmental Health Perspective’s. 103 (Suppl 7): 157-164. Kamrin, M. unknown. Environmental Hormones. Internet Reference www.ace.orst.edu Luoma, Jon R. 1995. Havoc in the hormones. Aududonil:60-66 McLachlan, J., Arnold, S. 1996. Environmental Estrogens. American Scientist 84:452-461. Montague, P. 1991 The Wingspread Statement Part 1. Internet Reference www.xpo.rtknet.org/E3621T132. Rupa, D. S., Reddy, P. P. and 0. S. Reddi. 1991 Reproductive performance in population exposed to pesticides in cotton fields in India. Environment research 55:123-128. Saxena, M. C., Siddiqui, K.J., Agarwal, Vinita and D. Kuuty. 1983. A comparison of organochlorine insecticide contents in specimens of maternal blood, placenta, and umbilical-cord blood from stillborn and live-born cases. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health: II: 7 1 - 79. Sharpe, Richard M. and Niels Skakkebaek. 1993. Are oestrogens involved in falling sperm counts and disorders of the male reproductive tract? Lancet 341:1392-1995.
The rhetorical occasion of this excerpt is to inform others about the dangers of chemicals on earth’s vegetation and animal life.
The pesticide DDT banned in 1987 was a detrimental to the environment leading to it to be banned in 1987. DDT remains in the soils for a long period of time. The chemicals affect the ecology of the soil and water run off causing contamination of livestock and native animals and aquatic species. Studies indicated a range of human health impacts from DDT including cancers, infertility, miscarriage and nervous system impairment. The social and economic impact of DDT use in viticulture was significant.
The scientists are also concerned with the hormones being excreted in the manure. The scientists say, that the hormones that go into the body can be found in the soil and the water supply. The scientists also say that the hormones being used are affecting human development through the human reproductive system. “High levels of hormones can cause problems in the human body, but can hormones we ingest really alter our hormone levels.” (NYU Langone Medical Center)
The premise of Theo Colborns’ research was to find the connection between the rising incidences of cancer and environmental contamination in the Great Lakes region. However, during field and laboratory studies, Colborn discovered that there was no direct link between the contamination and cancer. However, Colborn did find reoccurring patterns of abnormal behavior and deformed offspring amongst the wildlife populations in the Great Lakes region. Elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenls (PCBs), pesticides dieldrin, DDT, lindane and chlordane were found during tissue analysis of the wildlife in the Great Lakes region (Colborn et. Al 1996). These elevated levels were found in offspring of the wildlife who appeared to be healthy. This supported Colborns’ hypothesis that these contaminations disrupt hormones produced by the endocrine system during growth and development, which will then cause physical and behavioral abnormalities in the fetus.
Hayes et al. 2002. Hermaphroditic, demasculinized frogs after exposure to the herbicide atrazine at low ecologically relevant doses. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99: 5476–5480.
PPCPs that have been found in tap water and source water include an array of chemicals such as sulfamethoxazole: an antibiotic, estrone: an estrogen containing chemical, atrazine: a herbicide, naproxen: an anti-inflammatory drug and meprobamate: an anxiety medicine. (Alliance for the Great Lakes). The effect of these pharmaceuticals on the wildlife is no fairytale matter. The 2002 USGS report stated that endocrine disrupting chemicals (chemicals that alter the hormone balance in an organism) such as estrogene which is found in estrone were linked to the occurrence of intersexed, cancerous and reduced size organ...
In 2013, nearly 1.7 million immigrants entered the United States -- a nation built with the blood and sweat of the millions of immigrants who came to it -- in search of a better life, one free from tyranny and oppression. However, only nine hundred thousand of these immigrants entered the country legally, vesting their time and resources into the legal residency “green card” program -- the very first step to full citizenship (Monger). The other seven hundred thousand immigrants entered the country illegally, exploiting security failures on the US southern border, and policy failures in Washington, DC (Morgan). While a large proportion of the undocumented population poses no immediate threat
Men today are always exposed to many toxics chemicals. Sengupta states, “Several research studies have indicated that sperm counts have been in decline for decades, and scientists say modern lifestyles and contacts with chemicals are a contributing factor and exposure to pesticides is just one of the reasons for this decline” (1017). Pesticides are one of the most harmful chemicals that play role in effecting a male’s sperm counts. A worker that worked at a chemical factory in 1975 went to his doctor having many headaches and tremors. It turned out that he and the rest of his workers had been contaminated with chlordecone which affected their sperm counts. Only 25% of the workers at that factory had normal sperm counts. These workers were given medication that removed the chlordecone and increased their sperm count over the next five years. Also, Gabrielsen, J. S. and C. Tanrikut states, “Occupational exposures to pesticides have demonstrated dramatic effects on spermatogenesis because of the high levels and long durations of exposure” (654). Another case where workers in a factory had elevated FSH and LH levels and normal testosterone levels which also effected their sperm counts shows just how much pesticides effect male
In a widely reported study of smallmouth bass from the Potomac River, male fish were found to have female ovarian tissue within their testes. In another study, fish exposed to wastewater from a metropolitan area sewage treatment plant exhibited endocrine disruption, i.e. male fish produced female egg-yolk proteins (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products). To date, no studies directly link trace chemicals found in water with human health problems but there are countless reasons for concern. Could exposure to these minute amounts of drugs in our water cause drug resistance? Could one unknowingly ingest a drug to which they are allergic to simply by drinking water? And how do these trace amounts of drugs, which may not be harmful to humans, affect a
Many of the sources documented in her piece are unreliable. These “cases” were accidents, resulting from careless acts of one or more persons involved. In other cases, the damage to local wildlife was the failure of those who used the pesticide without the consideration of the effects it might have. The way the piece is written evokes a certain response from the reader and her approach has resulted in a wider understanding of the simple fact that these are chemicals, poisons, we are using when spraying pesticides. More importantly, the population may understand the more careful approach and control in every step of the way these poisons must travel, from research to laboratory to government approval to being used in the field.
Many pesticides, that of which have many unanswered questions regarding the potential health risk have been authorized by the EPA Office of Pesticide ...
To help keep crops from being destroyed, conventional farmers use many methods such as pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Nearly 1 billion pounds of these chemicals are used every year (“pesticides”). Because of this excessive use, some scientists express concern that using artificial chemicals in the farming process could produce unhealthy crops. People who ate it over a long period of time could suffer from degraded health and stunted growth (“Organic Foods”). For example, in 1989, the EPA banned the use of Alar which was a chemical used to ripen apples (“Farming, Organics”). This chemical proved to be carcinogenic after causing tumors in mice after several laboratory tests (“Organic Food”). As a result of these findings there was a dramatic increase of the sales for organic food (“Organic Food”). Another study found that Atrazine (one of the most widely used herbicides in the United States) has the potential of being carcinogenic and reducing sperm counts in males (“Organic Food”). This was further proven when evidence was found that chemicals u...
Saudi Arabia, the leader of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Companies), maintains a powerful position in negotiations with the U.S. and other countries. Its vast supply of oil directly effects per barrel pricing and is a unique bargaining tool in international politics. But Saudi Arabia is no ordinary country in today's world. Its borders are governed by a royal family of nearly 30,000 individuals, all of which share most of the wealth and almost all of the power. Its people, with foreign exceptions, are wholly Islamic and many practice the faith with a frightening sense of devotion. And despite the immense revenue generated by its oil reserves, part of its population still lives in absolute poverty. Although recently it has seen immense change, it is still a country fair behind the progressive world.
In a study conducted by the University of London’s Centre for Toxicology, 30 out of 37 commonly used pesticides have been tested to block or mimic male hormones (Cone). This blockage can affect testosterone levels negatively as well as other androgens produced within a male’s body causing serious health concerns with fertilization, hair loss, and low sex drive. The study also discovered that certain pesticides that are used within today’s agriculture can, “…activate or inhibit hormone receptors in cells that turn genes on and off” (Cone). Therefore, fetuses and infants can be at high risk when exposed in the womb or through breast milk since the hormones being turned on or off control masculinization of the reproductive tract. Overall, pesticides seem like they are doing more harm to human’s health then they are at keeping crops healthy and should be eliminated from modern agriculture
Fear, worry, and anguish were major themes of World War Two. During those years, 1939 to 1945, Totalitarianism was running amuck and many people wondered when, if not, if these years would ever end. In the book 1984 by George Orwell takes the aftermath of WW2, times in which he lived through, in the year 1949 and essentially gathers those feelings and aspects of society, for example nationalism, and puts them in a novel form . The book takes place in a future dystopia located around England, called Oceania. In this novel, the author writes about a character named Winston Smith who is a middle class citizen whose actions, like all others, are monitored by the government. Winston, society, the government, and many other parts of life written