149
On the Basis of Origin
EDCs can also be grouped on the basis of their origin. It includes:
• Hormones (thyroid, omega 3 fatty acids, and contraceptive pills)
• Drugs having hormonal adverse reactions (metoprolol and naproxen)
• Routinely used chemicals in industries and homes (solvents, plasticizers, fire
extinguishers, and detergents)
• Industrial by-products (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins) [5]
Characteristics of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Despite the fact that EDCs are considered as a group of heterogenic compounds,
there are few general characteristics of EDCs, their mode of action and functioning:
• EDCs are morphologically homogeneous to most of the hormones. They possess
lipophilic properties and prone to mimic the hormone action by antagonizing or
activating the hormone receptors [4].
• EDCs may initiate disruption even in very low concentrations of exposure predominantly during the developmental phase. EDCs exhibit non-monotonic
responses (U-shaped or biphasic), i.e. low doses produce profound impact than
the higher doses in the human body [6].
• A lag phase exists between the time of exposure to EDCs and disease manifestation. It shows that the EDCs may take years to produce inimical results [4].
• EDCs exhibit low affinity for the hormone receptors, e.g. bisphenol A (BPA)
shows 1000–10,000 times less affinity for estrogen receptors [7].
• The exposure time of EDCs is hypercritical in producing detrimental effects.
Exposure during developmental phases such as during pregnancy, puberty, childhood, embryonic stage, and menopause is highly vulnerable [8].
History of Endocrine Disruption
The research on EDCs was initiated in mid-1991 during a conference in Wingspread
Conference Center, USA by Theo Colborn and his coworkers. Theo and his coworkers gathered information from diverse fields of both humans and wildlife and developed a paradigm of EDCs. However, the traces of studies related to endocrine
disruption can be found since 1940s [9]. With the advancement in public health, the
concerns regarding EDCs prevailed resulting in the publication of “State of the
Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals” by World Health Organization in 2002.
10 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Induced Childhood Obesity
On the Basis of Origin
EDCs can also be grouped on the basis of their origin. It includes:
• Hormones (thyroid, omega 3 fatty acids, and contraceptive pills)
• Drugs having hormonal adverse reactions (metoprolol and naproxen)
• Routinely used chemicals in industries and homes (solvents, plasticizers, fire
extinguishers, and detergents)
• Industrial by-products (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins) [5]
Characteristics of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Despite the fact that EDCs are considered as a group of heterogenic compounds,
there are few general characteristics of EDCs, their mode of action and functioning:
• EDCs are morphologically homogeneous to most of the hormones. They possess
lipophilic properties and prone to mimic the hormone action by antagonizing or
activating the hormone receptors [4].
• EDCs may initiate disruption even in very low concentrations of exposure predominantly during the developmental phase. EDCs exhibit non-monotonic
responses (U-shaped or biphasic), i.e. low doses produce profound impact than
the higher doses in the human body [6].
• A lag phase exists between the time of exposure to EDCs and disease manifestation. It shows that the EDCs may take years to produce inimical results [4].
• EDCs exhibit low affinity for the hormone receptors, e.g. bisphenol A (BPA)
shows 1000–10,000 times less affinity for estrogen receptors [7].
• The exposure time of EDCs is hypercritical in producing detrimental effects.
Exposure during developmental phases such as during pregnancy, puberty, childhood, embryonic stage, and menopause is highly vulnerable [8].
History of Endocrine Disruption
The research on EDCs was initiated in mid-1991 during a conference in Wingspread
Conference Center, USA by Theo Colborn and his coworkers. Theo and his coworkers gathered information from diverse fields of both humans and wildlife and developed a paradigm of EDCs. However, the traces of studies related to endocrine
disruption can be found since 1940s [9]. With the advancement in public health, the
concerns regarding EDCs prevailed resulting in the publication of “State of the
Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals” by World Health Organization in 2002.
10 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Induced Childhood Obesity