Resumen

ARGEMI, Federico; CIANNI, Natalia  y  PORTA, Andrés. Endocrine disruption: environmental perspectives and public health. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2005, vol.39, n.3, pp.291-300. ISSN 0325-2957.

The increase of reproductive dysfunction cases, such as diminution of count and spermatic functionality, precocious puberty in children, the increase of breast, prostate and testicles cancer and of malformations associated with hormonal problems generates certain uneasiness. At the same time, the description of alterations in the reproductive function of an increasing number of wild species, by exposure to persistent chemical substances, like pesticides, detergents, dioxins and furans, has promoted an intense activity of research that has given these compounds a central role in the interference (disruption) of the hormonal homeostasis. These compounds, endocrine disruptors, are characterized in the laboratory taking into account their hormonal or anti-hormonal capacity, and whether they can alter the homeostasis of the endocrine reproductive system. Some recognized disruptors are phytoestrogens, organochloride pesticides, alkylphenol-polyethoxylates, chlorophenols, PCBs, phtalates, artificial estrogens (contraceptive), dioxins, furans and aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons, which are commonly used in our daily life. The recognition of their disruption capacity, implies a reframing of the regulation and control systems of approximately 50,000 new chemicals, many of wich with potential disruption capacity. This includes new toxicological tests and new research objectives, renewed evaluation methodology of chemical compounds and the re-evaluation of the existing one, using the risk estimation system as a principle. Thus, these priorities are considered: an international network, with a global data base; the validation of new biological tests for the detection of disruptor compounds, and the unification of criteria for the risk and associated damage characterization on the basis of epidemiological studies.

Palabras clave : endocrine disruption; biological markers; public health; persistent organic pollutants; biota; environmental pollution.

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