Endocrine-Disrupting Pesticides - Pesticides: Evaluation of Environmental Pollution - page 615

Aromatase is a complex of enzymes from the group of cytochrome P450. Aromatase
converts anabolic steroids such as androstenedione to testosterone or a steroid with
an aromatic ring such as estrone and estradiol. Aromatase converts androgens into
estrogens.
For further information, the reader is directed to Gore (2007), Metzler (2010), Norris and
Carr (2006), Hester and Harrison (1999), and Damstra et al. (2002).
A literature survey shows that there are vociferous discussions about endocrine-
disrupting pesticides and about endocrine-disrupting compounds in general.
20.7 Endocrine-Disrupting Pesticides
There is a genuine concern about endocrine-disrupting pesticides that are lipophilic, resis-
tant to metabolism, and able to bioconcentrate up the food chain. Therefore, they accu-
mulate in body fats and can be transferred to the developing offspring via the placenta
or via the egg. Predator animals (and humans) feeding at the top of the food chain are at
increased risk, particularly mammals, because during breast feeding contaminants are
again mobilized and transferred to the newly born infant. Marine mammals may be most
vulnerable, because not only do they carry large amounts of body fat, but also the oceans
are the final sink for many persistent pollutants.
Following paragraphs are taken from Damstra et al. (2002). These authors are very well
pointing out the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
The last two decades have witnessed growing scientific concerns and public debate
over the potential adverse effects that may result from exposure to a group of chemi-
cals that have the potential to alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system
in wildlife and humans. Concerns regarding exposure to these EDCs are due primar-
ily to (1) adverse effects observed in certain wildlife, fish, and ecosystems; (2) the
increased incidence of certain endocrine-related human diseases; and (3) endocrine
disruption resulting from exposure to certain environmental chemicals observed
in laboratory experimental animals. These concerns have stimulated many national
governments, international organizations, scientific societies, the chemical industry,
and public interest groups to establish research programs, organize conferences and
workshops, and form expert groups and committees to address and evaluate EDC-
related issues.
Since the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (Carson 1962), there has been
increasing awareness that chemicals in the environment can exert profound and deleteri-
ous effects on wildlife populations and that human health is inextricably linked to the
health of the environment. The last two decades, in particular, have witnessed a grow-
ing scientific concern, public debate, and media attention over the possible deleterious
effects in humans and wildlife that may result from exposure to chemicals that have the
potential to interfere with the endocrine system. The intensity of the concerns and lack
of consensus among scientists can best be ameliorated by an objective evaluation of the
available scientific data on the potential adverse effects of these chemicals from a global
perspective.
Some suspected endocrine-disrupting pesticides that are reported in the literature are
detailed in Table 20.1 .