Bioaccumulation
and Environmental Estrogens
Lisa
Pryor
BIS 392: Water and Sustainability
Introduction
Bioaccumulation and
Environmental Estrogens are a concept that I was not familiar with before
researching this topic. I found it
more helpful to break it down into two parts. Bioaccumulation is the accumulation
within living organisms of toxic substances occurring in the environment. Environmental Estrogens refer to the
accumulation within living organisms of toxic substances occurring in the
environment. This site will first take a look at some of the environmental
effects of bioaccumulation and environmental estrogens specifically concerning
the
For
more interesting FAQ’s about environmental estrogens click here!
Environmental
Effects
One of the leading
contributors of bioaccumulation and environmental estrogens is through the
disposal of drugs by a means of flushing them. Our society today is pumped full of
birth control pills among other things, and unfortunately, these chemicals end
up in our ground water, streams, and oceans. A case study in
Food
Chain Effects
n
High
consumption levels are becoming apparent in marine mammals and
birds.
n
Adverse
health effects in marine mammals off of
n
Testing
currently being done on fatty tissue of harbor seals hopes to reveal the levels
existing in killer whales and herring as well.
Should
we be concerned about estrogenic compounds in
n
Vitellogenin
(Vtg) is a normal synthesis observed in adult female
fish with eggs. However, it has
also been obeserved in males as well when exposed to
estrogens or substances that mimic estrogens.
n
The
abnormal production of Vtg in males is a recognized as
a biological indicator of exposure to environmental
estrogens.
n
Fish
were collected from various areas around
Human Body
Impacts
Questions
and Answers on Evidence and Effects
Which
synthetic estrogen was once prescribed to women to prevent
miscarriage?
A) DDT
B) DES
C) Mirex
D) Dioxin
Answer: DES
n
Environmental
estrogens similar to DES could come from various sources such as chemical
pollution, medicines, plastics, paints, and pesticides on food that everyone
deals with.
n
Exposures
to DES in women 5-8 weeks pregnant often resulted in babies born with out limbs
or with severe limb deformities
n
Some
doctors advise patients trying to get pregnant to consider avoiding consuming
plant-based estrogens, or phytoestrogens because phytoestrogens include isoflavones
which are found in soy and other foods.
n
Due
to the fact that they have been considered as a contributor to fertility
problems
n
However,
studies in women that eat soy products have largely found only positive health
benefits and no real effect on fertility.
Which
of the following incidents evoked concern regarding exposure to PCBs?
(Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
A)
Explosion of a chemical company in
B)
Pesticide applications to control fire ants in the American
south
C)
Rice bran oil contamination in
D)
Dust control measures in
Answer:
rice bran oil contamination in
n
In
the 1960-1970’s there was a rising concern surrounding the safety of PCB’s. Many people both in
n
During
the processing phases, the pipes developed small holes which made it possible
for PCB’s to leak into the oil in the heat transfer fluid. *Extremely toxic!
*
n
Of
those who experienced the poisoning some symptoms included but not limited to:
fatigue, nausea, numbness in arms and legs, headache, liver disorders, brown
pigmentation on skin and nails, excessive eye discharge, eyelid swelling, and
distinctive hair follicles.
n
Some
babies born to mothers who had consumed the contaminated oil showed skin hyperpigmentation, behavioral problems, and cognitive
problems, persistent delays in growth, and reduced penile length in boys age
11-14.
Current scientific
evidence shows that environmental estrogens can affect men's reproductive organs
. . .
A) never
B) when
men are in utero
C) when
men are adults
D)
Both b and c
Answer:
D, both b and c
n
It
has been difficult in directly proving these findings because effects are often
unapparent until adulthood and can be difficult to
trace.
n
Studys
done on rats suggest that exposure to environmental estrogens could cause
impotence in mature men.
n
A
research group reported in 2002 that PCBs were found in the semen of infertile
men, but not in the semen of fertile men. It’s been hypothesized that PCB and OE
exposure may be in corrolation with fish consumption.
This would also be a result of exposure after birth.
n
A
research group in 2003 found that men with prostate cancer had increased levels
of PCB in their blood, compared to men without prostate cancer. This result
suggests that environmental estrogen exposure after birth can lead to prostrate
cancer.
n
Increasingly,
testicular cancer, cryptorchidism and birth defects
involving undescended testicles and malformation of
the penis and some types of infertility are being grouped together into one
syndrome called testicular dysgenesis syndrome (or
TDS).
n
In
addition, evidence from rat and mouse models shows that exposure to
environmental estrogens in utero, causes TDS-like
syndromes in both animals.
5)
During the process of bioaccumulation, toxicants are stored and magnified in
what body tissue?
Answer:
FAT
n
Some
believe that it is a combination of excess body fat and exposure to estrogenic
substances that hastens puberty.
n
Body
fat is one site of endogenous estrogen synthesis and the addition of
environmental estrogens may add just enough exogenous hormone to exert a
synergistic effect necessary to bring on puberty
n
Physiologically,
ample amount of body fat implies reproductive readiness and signals the onset of
puberty in boys and girls.
n
A
recent study has shown that young girls in the
§
African
American girls are developing breasts and body hair at an
average of
8.
If
you and your doctor are concerned about the level of environmental estrogens in
your body there are pills designed to remove the toxins from bodily
tissues.
*To read more about this solution click here!
Prevention is the biggest
way to solve problems of bioaccumulation and environmental estrogens. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency
has a program designed to help prevent the introduction of new Persistant Bioaccumulative and
Toxic (PBT) chemicals.
*To read more about this and the policy statement (1999) issue
regarding this program click here!
Children are among those
most at risk in our communities. In
order for us to address these concerns, we need to make a special effort to
protect children in our communities from environmental hazards. This is only a stepping stone in
attempts and efforts to solve the problem.
Children’s Environmental Health Network is a resource whos mission is to protect the fetus and the
child from environmental health hazards and promote a healthy environment.
*Click here for more Information
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