What are Concerns Regarding Endocrine Disruptors? - epa

内分泌干扰物之患

 

In the last two decades there has been a growing awareness of the possible adverse effects in humans and wildlife from exposure to chemicals that can interfere with the endocrine system. These effects can include:

• developmental malformations,
• interference with reproduction,
• disturbances in the nervous system function,
• disturbances in the immune system function, and,
• increased cancer risk.

过去二十年来，人类及野生动物接触干扰内分泌系统的化学品而遭致潜在负面影响的忧患已日益增强。这些影响包括，

• 发育错乱
• 生育受扰
• 神经系统受扰
• 免疫系统受扰
• 癌症风险增大

 

Clear evidence exists that some chemicals cause these effects in wildlife, but limited evidence exists for the potential of chemicals to cause these effects in humans at environmental exposure levels. Very few chemicals have been tested for their potential to interfere with the endocrine system. Current standard test methods do not provide adequate data to identify potential endocrine disruptors (EDs) or to assess their risks to humans and wildlife.

已有明显的证据显示部分化学品在野生动物界引发这些负面效应，但人类在环境接触水平下由此类化学品潜在引发这些负面效应的例证尚属有限。只有极少种类化学品被测试过其对内分泌系统干扰的潜在风险。目前标准的测试方式并不能提供恰当的数据以甄别潜在的内分泌干扰物(ED)或评估其对人类和野生动物的风险。

 

The Environment Protection Agency EPA developed the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) by using a two tiered approach to screen pesticides, chemicals, and environmental contaminants for their potential effect on estrogen, androgen and thyroid hormone systems. Under the tiered approach:

Tier 1 screening data is used to identify substances that have the potential to interact with the endocrine system. Chemicals that go through Tier 1 screening and are found to exhibit the potential to interact with the estrogen, androgen, or thyroid hormone systems will proceed to Tier 2 for testing.

Tier 2 testing data identifies any adverse endocrine-related effects caused by the substance, and establish a quantitative relationship between the dose and that adverse effect. The results of Tier 2 testing will be combined with other hazard information and exposure assessment on a given chemical resulting in the risk assessment. Risk assessments are used to inform risk mitigation measures, as necessary, and regulatory decisions concerning chemicals.

美国环境保护署制定了内分泌干扰物筛查项目，通过采用两级方案以筛查杀虫剂、化学品、和环境污染物对雌激素、雄性激素和甲状腺激素系统的潜在影响。两级方案是，

一级 筛查数据用作甄别具有内分泌系统交互作用潜力的物质。通过一级筛查的化学品，如发现具有与雌激素、雄性激素、或甲状腺素系统有交互作用潜力则进入二级测试。

二级 测试数据甄别由该物质引发的内分泌相关的负面效应，并在剂量与此负面效应之间建立定量关系。二级测试的结果结合该特定化学品的其它风险信息和接触预估以得出总的风险评估。风险评估可用于在必要时知会风险减灭措施、有关化学品的监管措施。

 

EPA published a Second List of Chemicals for Tier 1 Screening. This list includes a large number of pesticides, two perfluorocarbon compounds (PFCs), and four pharmaceuticals (erythromycin, lindane, nitroglycerin, and quinoline). This list also consists of an array of other chemicals, ranging from those used for industrial manufacturing processes, as plasticizers, or in the production of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). Of 109 identified chemicals, 41 are pesticide active ingredients (PAIs) and 68 are chemicals identified under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

EPA – EDSP FINALSECONDEDSP LISTOFCHEMICALSFORTIER1 SCREENING 109

EPA已颁布了化学品一级筛查的二次清单。该清单包括相当数目的杀虫剂、两种全氟碳化合物(PFC)、四种原料药 (红霉素erythromycin, 林丹/六氯化苯lindane, 硝化甘油nitroglycerin, 以及喹啉quinoline)。清单也包括一系列其它化学品，从用于工业制造加工的，如增塑剂/塑化剂，或用于制药和个人护理用品生产的。在109种经甄别的化学品中，41种为杀虫剂活性成分，68种是《安全饮用水法案》中指名的。

 

EPA has also presented the EDSP Universe of Chemicals as a separate document, which will be updated as new information becomes available. The List of the EDSP Universe of Chemicals contains approximately 10,000 chemicals, as defined under FFDCA and SDWA 1996 amendments, although not all of the chemicals are expected to undergo EDSP Tier 1 screening. EPA plans to screen these chemicals using high-throughput screening assays and computational models, as they are developed and validated. Currently, EPA has screened 1800 chemicals for estrogen receptor bioactivity. 

One of the goals of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) is to screen chemicals rapidly for bioactivity in several endocrine pathways.

EPA has partial screening results for over 1800 chemicals that have been evaluated using high throughput assays and a computational model for the estrogen receptor pathway.

EPA另外公布了内分泌干扰物筛查项目EDSP化学品全库作为一个独立的文件，并随同新的信息的出现随时更新。EDSP化学品全库包含大约10,000种化学品，系根据FFDCA和SDWA法案1996年修正案所定义的，当然并不计划所有这些化学品都进行EDSP一级筛查。EPA计划对这些化学品，在开发和验证后，采用快速筛查方式及计算模型。目前，EPA已筛查了1800种化学品对雌激素受体的生物活跃度。

内分泌干扰物筛查项目EDSP的一个目标是快速筛查不同内分泌通路的生物活跃度

EPA对超过1800种化学品部分筛查的结果即是在雌激素受体通路上采用快速筛查方式及计算模型进行评估的。

https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/endocrine-disruptor-screening-program-edsp-estrogen-receptor-bioactivity

The endocrine system is comprised of a number of glands in the body that do not have ducts and other similar structures. The endocrine system include the ovaries; the testes; the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands; the pineal body; the pancreas; as well as cells releasing hormones found in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, heart and placenta. What distinguishes endocrine glands from other glands is that endocrine glands secrete certain chemicals called hormones and other glands produce other chemicals or fluids; for example, lacrimal glands secrete tears, salivary glands produce saliva, and sweat glands produce sweat.

Hormones (so-called "chemical messengers") produced by endocrine glands enter the capillaries (and lymph vessels) of the blood circulatory system. They travel through the bloodstream to specific "receptors" in target organs or systems where they can trigger their biological effects.

内分泌系统由体内一系列腺体组成，其并无导管或类似结构。内分泌系统包括卵巢、前列腺、甲状腺、甲状旁腺、肾上腺、脑垂体、松果体、胰腺；还有在胃肠道、肾脏、心脏、胎盘等处发现的能分泌荷尔蒙激素的细胞群。内分泌腺体与其它腺体的区别在于其分泌称作荷尔蒙(激素)的化学物质，而其它腺体产生其它化学物或液体，比如，泪腺分泌眼泪、唾液腺分泌唾液、汗腺分泌汗水等。

内分泌腺体产生的荷尔蒙激素(所谓“化学信使”)进入血液循环系统毛细管(和淋巴管)。随血流运行到达靶器官或靶系统中特定的“受体”并在该处触发生物效应。

 

The endocrine system is important because it coordinates and regulates many essential body functions such as:

• Growth and maturation.
• Behaviour.
• Reproduction and embryo development.
• Production, use and storage of energy.
• Balance and maintenance of water and salt (electrolytes) in the body.
• Reaction to stimuli (e.g., fright, excitement).

内分泌系统的重要性在于其协调并调控许多基础的机体功能，比如，

• 生长和成熟
• 行为
• 生殖和胚胎发育
• 产生、利用和储存能量
• 平衡及保持肌体内水和盐(电解质)
• 应对刺激 (比如恐惧和兴奋)

 

Some examples of hormones secreted by the endocrine system are:

• ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) - produced by the pituitary gland to influence the release of corticosteroid hormones from the adrenal glands.
• ADH (anti-diuretic hormone, vasopressin) - produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate water reabsorption by the kidney tubules.
• Adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) - two hormones formed in the adrenal gland that help the body to react (e.g., flight or fight, body defense mechanisms) under stressful conditions (they can increase the heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, blood clotting rate).
• Estrogen - a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries.
• Testosterone - a male sex hormone produced by the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands.
• Insulin - secreted by the pancreas and regulates the storage and use of carbohydrates in the body.
• Thyroid hormone - produced in the thyroid and influences the function of virtually every cell in the body (growth, development and metabolism).

内分泌系统分泌的荷尔蒙激素可例举的有，

• 脑垂体产生的促肾上腺皮质素ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone)，用以影响肾上腺产生肾上腺皮质素 corticosteroid hormones
• 脑垂体产生的抗利尿素ADH (anti-diuretic hormone, vasopressin)，用以刺激肾小管对水的再吸收
• 肾上腺产生的肾上腺素Adrenaline及去肾上腺素 Noradrenaline，用以在外部压力下帮助肌体反应 (比如飞翔和搏斗、身体自卫机制)；其可以提升心率、血压、血糖、凝血等
• 卵巢产生的雌激素
• 睾丸、卵巢、脑垂体产生的雄性激素睾酮
• 胰腺产生的胰岛素，用以控制机体内碳水化合物的储存和利用

 

Concerns have been raised over the possible roles of chemicals since many of the complex activities of the human body are controlled by the endocrine system. In addition, endocrine systems are present in most animals such as other mammals, non-mammalian vertebrates (e.g., birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles) and invertebrates (e.g., insects, spiders, snails, crabs, lobsters, etc.).

既然人类机体的各种复杂活动受内分泌系统控制，对化学品在其中的潜在作用的忧虑因而不断被提出。此外，内分泌系统存在于大部分动物中，既有哺乳动物、也有非哺乳脊椎动物 (比如鸟类、鱼类、两栖动物、爬行动物)，和节肢动物 (如昆虫、蜘蛛、蛇类、蟹和龙虾等等)。

 

The endocrine system controls many functions of the body, both immediate reactions and life-long functions. The hormones stabilize or balance functions in the normal body. In turn, the levels of hormones produced in the body are influenced by stimuli the body receives and are regulated by complex biological feedback systems. Any disruption to this balance can cause changes in the reproduction, development, growth, or behaviour that can affect that animal or human or their offspring or children.

内分泌系统控制着机体很多功能，既有即时反应、也有整个生命周期的功能。荷尔蒙稳定或平衡正常机体的各种功能。同时，机体产生的荷尔蒙水平也受到机体接收到的刺激的影响，并受复杂的生物反馈系统的调制。对这种平衡的干扰回引起生育、发育、生长、或行为方面的改变，进而影响动物或人类，以及其下代或子女。

 

Certain substances, both naturally-occurring and man-made, can affect the endocrine system. Some chemicals in plants (phytoestrogens) have estrogen-like effects. Certain drugs and environmental pollutants can either mimic or block actions of some hormones. When there is interference with the normal communication between the "messenger" hormone and the cell receptors, the chemical message is misinterpreted and an abnormal response is generated in the body.

某些物质，天然存在物或人造物，都可以影响内分泌系统。植物中的某些化学物质(植物雌激素)具有类雌激素作用。某些药物和环境污染物能够模拟或阻断荷尔蒙的作用。当“信使”荷尔蒙与细胞受体间通讯存在干扰时，化学品的信息可被错误译转，机体内就会产生异常的响应。

 

Understanding the role of the endocrine system (and the hormones that they produce) in the normal functioning of the body gives us some indication of the types of problems that might occur when proper endocrine function is disrupted. Many of these organs influence each other's activities, producing very complex interactions and making the effect of the disruptors exceedingly difficult to identify or predict.

理解内分泌系统(及其所产生的荷尔蒙激素)对机体正常运作的作用可以提示人们认识到正常内分泌功能受扰时可能发生的问题的种类。这些器官也相互影响各自的活动，产生非常复杂的交互作用，也使得干扰物的效应极其难以识别和预测。

 

How Can Chemicals Disrupt the Endocrine System?

化学品如何干扰内分泌系统？

Disruption of the endocrine system can occur in various ways. Some chemicals mimic a natural hormone, fooling the body into over-responding to the stimulus (e.g., a growth hormone that results in increased muscle mass), or responding at inappropriate times (e.g., producing insulin when it is not needed). Other endocrine disruptors block the effects of a hormone from certain receptors (e.g. growth hormones required for normal development). Still others directly stimulate or inhibit the endocrine system and cause overproduction or underproduction of hormones (e.g. an over or underactive thyroid). Certain drugs are used to intentionally cause some of these effects, such as birth control pills. In many situations involving environmental chemicals, however, an endocrine effect is not desirable.

内分泌系统受扰可以通过多种途径发生。有些化学品模拟天然荷尔蒙，欺骗肌体对刺激过度反应 (比如，生长激素导致肌肉增重)，或在不当时间作出反应 (比如，在不需要的时候产生胰岛素)。其它内分泌干扰物阻断某些受体所产生的激素的作用 (比如，正常发育所需的生长激素)。甚或有些直接刺激或抑制内分泌系统造成荷尔蒙(激素)分泌过度或欠缺 (比如甲状腺亢进或萎缩)。有些药物就是专门用以引发此类效应的，比如避孕药。但在很多涉及环境化学品的情况下，则不希望出现此类效应。

 

Substances can disrupt the normal function of endocrine systems in three different ways:

1. They can mimic a natural hormone and lock onto a receptor within the cell. The disruptor may give a signal stronger than the natural hormone, or a signal that occurs at the "wrong" time.
2. They can bind to a receptor within a cell and thus prevent the correct hormone from binding. The normal signal then fails to occur and the body fails to respond properly.
3. The disruptors can interfere or block the way natural hormones and receptors are made or controlled. This interference or blockage may occur only if relatively large doses of the substance are present.

If the endocrine disruptor stimulates or inhibits the endocrine system, then increased or decreased amounts of hormone may be produced. In some cases, even very small amounts of a disruptor may have a detectable effect. In addition, small amounts of different endocrine disruptor chemicals may have a cumulative effect.  In some cases the by-products of the chemicals may have greater harmful effect than the parent chemical.

总的来说，干扰物以三种方式影响内分泌系统的正常运作，

1. 它们可以模拟某种天然荷尔蒙激素并锁定到细胞内受体上。干扰物可能释放比天然荷尔蒙更强的信号，或者在“错误”时间发出的信号
2. 它们可能锁闭细胞内受体，从而阻止正确的荷尔蒙激素结合。正常信号因而无法发出，机体也因而无法恰当地作出反应
3. 它们可以干扰或阻止天然荷尔蒙激素与受体的产生和控制方式。这种干扰往往仅发生于存在大剂量干扰物的情况下。

当内分泌干扰物刺激或阻碍内分泌系统时，就会产生过量或欠量的荷尔蒙激素。有些情况下，即使很少量的干扰物也会产生可观察的效应。此外，小量不同的内分泌干扰化学品也会具有累积效应。另有一些情况下，化学品的代谢副产品会比其本身产生更大的危害。

 

What are Examples of Endocrine Disruption?

内分泌受扰的例子有哪些？

The number of substances believed to act as endocrine disruptors is wide and varied, including both natural and synthetic materials. Concern arises because potential endocrine disruptors may be present in the environment at very low levels but still may be able to cause effects.

确认可作为内分泌干扰物的物质数目既广泛又多变，既包括天然的也有合成材料。挥之不去的忧患在于内分泌干扰物可以在环境中以很低的水平出现，并仍能引发多种效应。

 

Many plants and animals produce substances that can have endocrine effects. Some of the substances are toxic but certain effects have proven beneficial in some circumstances. For example, some "endocrine disruptors" have been used to control fertility (birth control pills), to treat cancer (corticosteroids), and to treat psychiatric disorders and other medical conditions. Natural substances, such as sex hormones or phytoestrogens (plant chemicals having estrogen-like effects), can become concentrated in industrial, agricultural and municipal wastes. Exposure to these wastes may produce reactions in humans, wildlife, fish or birds.

很多植物与动物产生具有内分泌效应的物质。有些物质有毒，但某些效用证明在有些条件下尚能有益。比如，有些“内分泌干扰物”已被用于控制生育(避孕药)，治疗癌症(肾上腺皮质素)，治疗精神错乱和其它医学应用。天然物质，比如性激素和植物雌激素 (具有类雌激素效应的植物化学品)，会在工业、农业、城市废弃物中积累。接触这类废弃物会对人类、野生动物、鱼类、鸟类产生反应。

 

Endocrine disruptors are found also in synthetic chemicals used as industrial solvents, lubricants, and their byproducts. These include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and dixons. Other examples of endocrine disruptors include bisphenol A (BPA) from plastics, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) from pesticides, vinclozolin from fungizides, and diethylstilbestrol (DES) from pharmaceutical agents. Certain metals such as cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, manganese, and zinc also disrupt endocrine systems.

在用于工业溶剂、润滑油，及其副产品的合成化学品中也有内分泌干扰物。其中包括多氯联苯PCB、多溴联苯PBB、和二恶英。其它内分泌干扰物的例子包括塑料中的双酚A (BPA)、农药中的DDT、杀真菌剂中的乙烯菌核利vinclozolin、合成制药中的己烯雌酚 diethylstilbestrol (DES)。

 

Many consumer products like cosmetics, personal care products and cleaners, (especially the fragranced products), contain complex mixtures of chemicals that have endocrine disruption properties.

很多日用产品，比如化妆品、个人护理用品和清洁产品 (特别是芳香产品)，含有复杂的化学混合物，并具有内分泌干扰作用。

 

One example of the devastating consequences of the exposure of developing animals, including humans, to endocrine disruptors is the case of the potent drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen. Prior to its ban in the early 1970's, doctors mistakenly prescribed DES to as many as five million pregnant women to block spontaneous abortion and promote fetal growth. It was discovered after the children went through puberty that DES affected the development of the reproductive system and caused vaginal cancer. Since then, Congress has improved the evaluation and regulation process of drugs and other chemicals. The statutory requirement to establish an endocrine disruptor screening program is a highly significant step.

发育过程中动物，包括人类，接触内分泌干扰物引发灾难性后果的一个例子，即强力药物，雌激素己烯雌酚(diethylstilbestrol，DES)事件。在七十年代早期被禁用前，医生们错误地给多达五百万孕妇开出处方服用DES，以阻止自发性流产、促进胎儿生长。直到这些儿童经过青春期后才发现，DES可影响生殖系统发育并引起阴道癌。此后，美国国会改进了药物和其它化学品的评估及立法过程。法定要求设立内分泌干扰物筛查项目就是一个具有显著意义的步骤。

 

Growing scientific evidence shows that humans, domestic animals, and fish and wildlife species have exhibited adverse health consequences from exposure to environmental chemicals that interact with the endocrine system. To date, such problems have been detected in domestic or wildlife species with relatively high exposure to:

• organochlorine compounds (e.g., 1,1,1- trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl);
• ethane (DDT) and its metabolite dichorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE);
• polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dioxins); and
• some naturally occurring plant estrogens.

不断累积的科学证据显示人类、家畜、鱼类和野生动物接触作用于内分泌系统的环境化学品可出现负面的健康效应。至今，此类问题已可在相对高剂量接触下列物质的家畜和野生动物中观察到：

有机氯化物 (比如，1,1,1- trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)

DDT及代谢产物 DDE

多氯联苯 PCB，和二恶英

某些天然产生的植物雌激素

 

Effects from exposure to low levels of endocrine disruptors has been observed as well (e.g., parts per trillion levels of tributyl tin have caused masculinization of female marine molluscs such as the dog whelk and ivory shell). Adverse effects have been reported for humans exposed to relatively high concentrations of certain contaminants. However, whether such effects are occurring in the human population at large at concentrations present in the ambient environment, drinking water, and food remains unclear.

接触低剂量的内分泌干扰物的效应也已经可以观察到 (比如，万亿分之一的三丁基锡可引起雌性水生软体动物如狗岩螺和象牙贝的雄性化)。负面效应也在接触相对高浓度的某些污染物的人群中有所报道。但此类效应是否对在常规环境、饮水、食物条件下大数量人群中发生，尚未明确。

 

Several conflicting reports have been published concerning declines in the quality and quantity of sperm production in humans over the last 4 decades, and there are reported increases in certain cancers (e.g., breast, prostate, testicular). Such effects may have an endocrine-related basis, which has led to speculation about the possibility that these endocrine effects may have environmental causes. However, considerable scientific uncertainty remains regarding the actual causes of such effects. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that small disturbances in endocrine function, particularly during certain highly sensitive stages of the life cycle (e.g., development, pregnancy, lactation) can lead to profound and lasting effects (Kavlock et al., 1996. EPA, 1997).

若干个意见相左的报告公开发表论及过去四十年来人类精子质量和数量下降的问题，另有报道论及某些癌症发病数增加 (比如，乳腺癌、前列腺癌、睾丸癌等)。此类问题可能与内分泌系统相关，也引发了对这些内分泌负面效应可能带有环境成因的猜测。然而，还是有相当多有关此类效应实际成因的科学方面的不确定性存在。无论如何，基本没有疑问，即在生命周期某些高度敏感的阶段(比如，发育、怀孕、哺乳期等)，内分泌功能上极小量的扰动可能导致深层的、长期的效应。

 

Certain chemicals, at certain doses, can interfere with endocrine (or hormone) systems. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. Any system in the body controlled by hormones can be derailed by hormone disruptors. Specifically, endocrine disruptors may be associated with the development of learning disabilities, severe attention deficit disorder, cognitive and brain development problems; deformations of the body (including limbs); breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid and other cancers; sexual development problems such as feminizing of males or masculinizing effects on females, etc. Recently The Endocrine Society released a statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) specifically listing obesity, diabetes, female reproduction, male reproduction, hormone-sensitive cancers in females, prostate cancer in males, thyroid, and neurodevelopment and neuroendocrine systems as being affected biological aspects of being exposed to EDCs. The critical period of development for most organisms is between the transition from a fertilized egg into a fully formed infant. As the cells begin to grow and differentiate, there are critical balances of hormones and protein changes that must occur. Therefore, a dose of disrupting chemicals may do substantial damage to a developing fetus. The same dose may not significantly affect adult mothers.

某些化学品，在某些剂量上，可以干扰内分泌(亦即荷尔蒙)系统。这些干扰可引发癌性肿瘤、生育缺陷、及其它发育错乱。身体内任何受荷尔蒙控制的系统可因荷尔蒙干扰物的影响而脱离正轨。特别的是，内分泌干扰物可能与下列一系列问题相关，学习障碍、严重注意力缺损错乱、认知及大脑发育等问题；身体畸形(包括肢体)、乳腺癌、前列腺癌、甲状腺及其它癌症；性发育问题，例如男性雌化或女性雄性化等。最近，内分泌协会发布了“内分泌干扰性化学品(EDC)”报告，特别列出了肥胖症、糖尿病、女性生殖、男性生殖、女性荷尔蒙敏感性癌症、男性前列腺癌、甲状腺、神经发育和神经内分泌系统作为EDC接触受感的生物性对象。大部分器官发育的关键时期在于从受精卵到完全成形婴儿的过渡过程。细胞开始成长分化时，必须达到荷尔蒙与蛋白质关键性的平衡。因此，一点点剂量的干扰性化学品可能对发育中的胎儿造成沉重的损害。相同剂量可能对成年母体并无严重影响。

 

U-shaped dose-response curve

U形剂量-反应曲线

Most toxicants, including endocrine disruptors, follow a U-shaped dose response curve. This means that very low and very high levels have more effects than mid-level exposure to a toxicant. Endocrine disrupting effects have been noted in animals exposed to environmentally relevant levels of some chemicals. For example, a common flame retardant, BDE-47, affects the reproductive system and thyroid gland of female rats in doses of the order of those to which humans are exposed. Low concentrations of endocrine disruptors can also have synergistic effects in amphibians, but it is not clear that this is an effect mediated through the endocrine system.

大部分毒物，包括内分泌干扰物，符合U形剂量-反应曲线。这意味着很低或很高的剂量比中等剂量接触毒物的效应更大。内分泌干扰物效应在动物接触环境相关水平的某些化学品情况下已经有所观察。例如，一种常用阻燃剂，BDE-47，在人类接触的剂量水平上，对雌鼠的生殖系统、甲状腺体有影响。低浓度内分泌干扰物对两栖动物也有协同效应，但尚不明确此效应是以内分泌系统作为传导媒介的。

 

The most prominent and well documented health concerns from exposure to endocrine disruptors are reproductive and developmental effects. Some of the disorders that have been seen in animal studies include oligospermia (low sperm count), testicular cancer, and prostate hyperplasia in adult males; vaginal adenocarcinoma, disorders of ovulation, breast cancer, and uterine fibroids in adult females. Disruption to thyroid functions, obesity, bone metabolism and diabetes are also linked to exposure endocrine disruptors.

最突出、最多文献记录的内分泌干扰物接触并深具健康隐忧的是对生殖和发育和影响。动物试验中观察到的各种错乱包括，成年雄性中的精子减少、睾丸癌、前列腺增生等；成年雌性的生殖道腺体癌、排卵异常、乳腺癌、子宫肌瘤等。对甲状腺功能的干扰，肥胖症、骨质代谢、糖尿病也与接触内分泌干扰物有关。

Outcomes from occupational exposure of endocrine disruptors have been documented in limited studies. The table below summarizes some of these studies:

职业性接触内分泌干扰物的研究成果记录有限。下表总结了部分这类研究，

 

Endocrine Disruptors	Occupation	Effect	Reference
Pthalate 增塑剂邻苯二甲酸盐	Exposure of mothers during pregnancy; 孕期接触 occupation not specified	Hypospadias (urogenital congenital anomalies affecting baby boys) 男婴尿道下裂	1, 5
Alkylphenolic compounds Phthalates PCB Dioxins	Motor vehicle  mechanics Paper makers Painters Forestry and logging  workers Furniture manufacture workers	Male breast cancer 男性乳腺癌	2
BPA双酚A	Male factory workers 男性工厂工人	Male sexual dysfunction 男性性功能失效	3
Phthalates增塑剂邻苯二甲酸盐	Plastic workers 塑料厂工人	6-fold increased risk of testicular cancer 睾丸癌风险增加6倍 2 times increased risk of breast cancer among the women working in plastic and rubber industry 塑料橡胶业女性工人乳腺癌风险增加2倍	4, 6

Synthetic chemicals suspected as endocrine disruptors may reach humans and animals in a variety of ways. Some, such as pesticides, are released intentionally. Others are by-products of industrial processes and waste disposal - these include dioxins and PCBs - are discharged from industrial or municipal treatment systems (See Table below)

合成化学品作为内分泌干扰物能以多种途径侵入人类和动物。有些，比如杀虫剂，是特意散布的。另有一些工业生产及废弃物处置 – 包括二恶英和多氯联苯 – 是工业及市政处理系统排放的。