IMPACTS OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTER IMPACTS OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTER CHEMICALS ON AQUATIC CHEMICALS ON AQUATIC

ORGANISMS AND HUMAN HEALTHORGANISMS AND HUMAN HEALTH

Dr. Fran SolomonDr. Fran Solomon

fsolomon@interchange.ubc.cafsolomon@interchange.ubc.caFebruary 3, 2009February 3, 2009

TOPICS TO BE COVEREDTOPICS TO BE COVERED

What are endocrine disrupter What are endocrine disrupter chemicals (EDCs) and how do they act?chemicals (EDCs) and how do they act?

Properties and sources of EDCsProperties and sources of EDCs

Exposure pathwaysExposure pathways

Impacts of specific groups and Impacts of specific groups and mixtures of EDCs mixtures of EDCs

How to reduce exposure How to reduce exposure

TOXIC CHEMICALSTOXIC CHEMICALS

Chemicals that have negative impacts Chemicals that have negative impacts on an organism’s survival, activity, on an organism’s survival, activity, growth, metabolism or reproductiongrowth, metabolism or reproduction

Include over 200,000 human-made Include over 200,000 human-made organic chemicals (contain carbon)organic chemicals (contain carbon)

EDCs are recent chemicals of concern. EDCs are recent chemicals of concern.

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTIONENDOCRINE DISRUPTION

Endocrine disrupter chemical (EDC) is Endocrine disrupter chemical (EDC) is “any chemical with the potential to alter “any chemical with the potential to alter hormonally mediated signals in plants hormonally mediated signals in plants or animals.” or animals.”

Hormone receptor – site on surface or Hormone receptor – site on surface or interior of a cell that is activated or interior of a cell that is activated or triggered by a hormone.triggered by a hormone.

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTIONENDOCRINE DISRUPTION

HormonesHormones bind to bind to cell receptors and cell receptors and induce a responseinduce a response

EDCsEDCs bind to receptors bind to receptors andand MIMIC a hormoneMIMIC a hormone BLOCK hormone BLOCK hormone

bindingbinding

EDC

EDC

H

H

H

INTERFERE with hormone INTERFERE with hormone synthesis, transport or synthesis, transport or degradationdegradation

KNOWN OR SUSPECTED EDCSKNOWN OR SUSPECTED EDCS

PesticidesPesticides

Polychlorinated Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)biphenyls (PCBs)

Polybrominated Polybrominated diphenyl ethers diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)(PBDEs)

Bisphenol-A (BPA) Bisphenol-A (BPA)

PhthalatesPhthalates

PROPERTIES OF EDCsPROPERTIES OF EDCs

Resistant to degradationResistant to degradation

Can be transported long distances.Can be transported long distances.

Lipophilic – fat soluble, therefore rapid Lipophilic – fat soluble, therefore rapid absorption through cell membranes absorption through cell membranes and accumulation in fatty tissuesand accumulation in fatty tissues

BioconcentrationBioconcentration

BiomagnificationBiomagnification

BIOMAGNIFICATIONBIOMAGNIFICATION

SOURCES OF EDCsSOURCES OF EDCs

SewageSewage

Urban stormwater runoffUrban stormwater runoff

Agricultural stormwater runoffAgricultural stormwater runoff

Industrial wasteIndustrial waste

Atmospheric depositionAtmospheric deposition

Oil spillsOil spills

Household productsHousehold products

TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE PATHWAYS IN FISHPATHWAYS IN FISH

Gills – diffusion across membranes Gills – diffusion across membranes into bloodstreaminto bloodstream

Skin – diffusion into bloodstreamSkin – diffusion into bloodstream

Drinking polluted water Drinking polluted water

Ingestion of sediments Ingestion of sediments

Food chainFood chain

FISH GILLSFISH GILLS ((www.sci.sdsu.eduwww.sci.sdsu.edu; ; www.diatribune.com/marine-life-serieswww.diatribune.com/marine-life-series) )

TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE PATHWAYS IN HUMANSPATHWAYS IN HUMANS

Lungs – inhaled particulatesLungs – inhaled particulates

SkinSkin

Drinking contaminated waterDrinking contaminated water

Food chain Food chain

TOXICITY ANDTOXICITY AND AGE/BODY SIZEAGE/BODY SIZE

Developmental and young life stages of allDevelopmental and young life stages of all

species are especially sensitive to EDCs.species are especially sensitive to EDCs.

Larger surface area/volume ratio Larger surface area/volume ratio → → faster faster EDC uptake per unit weightEDC uptake per unit weight

Higher breathing, metabolic, and growth Higher breathing, metabolic, and growth rates rates →→ faster and more uptake of EDCs faster and more uptake of EDCs

Young animals and humans are not able to Young animals and humans are not able to detoxify EDCs as well as adults. detoxify EDCs as well as adults.

PESTICIDESPESTICIDES

Synthetic chemical compounds used to Synthetic chemical compounds used to destroy or control pest organismsdestroy or control pest organisms5 billion tons applied annually 5 billion tons applied annually worldwide worldwide 30-fold increase in pesticide use in U.S. 30-fold increase in pesticide use in U.S. since 1945since 1945Found in surface waterbodies and Found in surface waterbodies and groundwater, including drinking water groundwater, including drinking water wells.wells.

CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONSCHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS

Examples – DDT, DDE, dieldrin, aldrin, Examples – DDT, DDE, dieldrin, aldrin, methoxychlor, heptachlormethoxychlor, heptachlorResistant to degradationResistant to degradationPersistent in soil, sediments, and fatty Persistent in soil, sediments, and fatty tissues of organisms tissues of organisms Strong biomagnification – DDT levels in Strong biomagnification – DDT levels in birds are 50 times higher than in small birds are 50 times higher than in small fish and 625 times higher than in small fish and 625 times higher than in small insects.insects.

““SILENT SPRING” (1962)SILENT SPRING” (1962)

Bald eagles and brown pelicans almost Bald eagles and brown pelicans almost completely disappeared from eastern U.S. in completely disappeared from eastern U.S. in 1960s due to excess DDT use.1960s due to excess DDT use.

Zoologist Rachel Carson warned that Zoologist Rachel Carson warned that pesticides were contaminating natural pesticides were contaminating natural environment and accumulating in our bodies.environment and accumulating in our bodies.

Book linked pesticides to thinning of bird Book linked pesticides to thinning of bird egg shells and predicted “silent spring” (no egg shells and predicted “silent spring” (no birds) if trend continued.birds) if trend continued.

ATRAZINE ATRAZINE

Used for control of broad-leaved annual Used for control of broad-leaved annual and perennial weeds in cornand perennial weeds in corn

Very mobile and moderately persistent Very mobile and moderately persistent in soilin soil

Heavy rain can wash atrazine into Heavy rain can wash atrazine into nearby waterbodies. nearby waterbodies.

Found in drinking water wells in U.S. Found in drinking water wells in U.S. farming areas in spring and summerfarming areas in spring and summer

ATRAZINE AND FROGSATRAZINE AND FROGS – 1990s– 1990s

Exposure of leopard frog larvae and tadpoles Exposure of leopard frog larvae and tadpoles to an environmentally realistic concentration to an environmentally realistic concentration of atrazine (0.1 part per billion - ppb) resulted of atrazine (0.1 part per billion - ppb) resulted in retarded gonad development and in retarded gonad development and hermaphroditism. hermaphroditism. Male frogs had undeveloped testes and no or Male frogs had undeveloped testes and no or low numbers of sperm-producing cells.low numbers of sperm-producing cells.29% had oocytes in testes or produced 29% had oocytes in testes or produced vitellogenin, an egg yolk protein that is vitellogenin, an egg yolk protein that is normally produced only by female frogs.normally produced only by female frogs.

ATRAZINE AND FROGS – 1990sATRAZINE AND FROGS – 1990s

Same effects observed in frogs collected Same effects observed in frogs collected from atrazine-contaminated areas in U.S.from atrazine-contaminated areas in U.S.

Testicular oocytes were detected in male Testicular oocytes were detected in male frogs from 7 of the 8 field sites. frogs from 7 of the 8 field sites.

Atrazine contamination of waterbodies Atrazine contamination of waterbodies coincides with amphibian breeding season coincides with amphibian breeding season (early spring).(early spring).

Lab and field data suggest contribution of Lab and field data suggest contribution of atrazine to declining amphibian populations.atrazine to declining amphibian populations.

PCB USES AND PROPERTIESPCB USES AND PROPERTIES

Used for heat transfer in electrical Used for heat transfer in electrical circuitry and electronic equipment due circuitry and electronic equipment due to their insulating properties and to their insulating properties and nonflammabilitynonflammability

Increased PCB production in 1960sIncreased PCB production in 1960s

Banned in U.S. in 1970s, but persist in Banned in U.S. in 1970s, but persist in soil, sediments, and fatty tissues soil, sediments, and fatty tissues

Personal medical testing Personal medical testing

PCBs AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT PCBs AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN - 1980sIN CHILDREN - 1980s

Impaired intellectual development in Impaired intellectual development in children born to women who had eaten children born to women who had eaten two or three Great Lakes fish meals two or three Great Lakes fish meals monthly in the six years BEFORE monthly in the six years BEFORE pregnancypregnancy

Children had losses in motor Children had losses in motor coordination, short-term memory, coordination, short-term memory, verbal skills and overall intelligence.verbal skills and overall intelligence.

PCBs AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT PCBs AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN - 1980sIN CHILDREN - 1980s

Correlation between severity of Correlation between severity of intellectual impairment in child and intellectual impairment in child and PCB levels in mother’s blood and milk PCB levels in mother’s blood and milk at time of child’s birthat time of child’s birthPCBs impair normal thyroid function PCBs impair normal thyroid function which has an important role in brain which has an important role in brain development.development.

。 。

PBDEs ANNUAL WORLDWIDE USE: PBDEs ANNUAL WORLDWIDE USE: 150 million metric tons 150 million metric tons

Furniture foams, Furniture foams, carpet padding carpet padding Plastic in electronicsPlastic in electronics– Computer and TV Computer and TV

casings, kitchen casings, kitchen appliancesappliances

Upholstery / textilesUpholstery / textiles

Used to reduce the ignition and spread of fire

PBDEs SAVE LIVES

Products can contain up to 30% PBDE by weight

PBDEs IN HUMAN BREAST MILK: PBDEs IN HUMAN BREAST MILK: Sweden 1972-1997 Sweden 1972-1997

(Norén and Meironyté 2000)

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l P

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0

6

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PBDEs IN HUMAN BREAST MILK: PBDEs IN HUMAN BREAST MILK: Sweden vs. North AmericaSweden vs. North America

North America

Sweden

PBDE TOXICITYPBDE TOXICITY

Closely related to PCB toxicityClosely related to PCB toxicity

Animal studies: PBDEs disrupt thyroid Animal studies: PBDEs disrupt thyroid hormones, therefore harming fetal hormones, therefore harming fetal brain development and impairing brain development and impairing memory and learning.memory and learning.

Developing fetuses, infants, and young Developing fetuses, infants, and young children are most at risk.children are most at risk.

BPA USES ANDBPA USES AND PROPERTIESPROPERTIES

Hard plastic in water bottles and baby Hard plastic in water bottles and baby bottles, lining of metal-based cansbottles, lining of metal-based cansMigrates from containers to contents.Migrates from containers to contents.Crosses placenta and is found in Crosses placenta and is found in human breast milk.human breast milk.Chronic, low level exposure of almost Chronic, low level exposure of almost all people in developed countries all people in developed countries Binds to estrogen receptors and Binds to estrogen receptors and mimics estrogen.mimics estrogen.

EDC EFFECTS OF BPAEDC EFFECTS OF BPA

Reduced sperm counts, testicle size, Reduced sperm counts, testicle size, and fertility in male mice exposed and fertility in male mice exposed prenatally and as adults to low doses of prenatally and as adults to low doses of BPA are believed to be applicable to BPA are believed to be applicable to humans.humans.Evidence for BPA contribution to Evidence for BPA contribution to human breast cancer human breast cancer Correlation between BPA urinary levels Correlation between BPA urinary levels in adults and incidence of diabetesin adults and incidence of diabetes

PHTHALATES - PROPERTIESPHTHALATES - PROPERTIES

Used as fragrances and plasticizers, Used as fragrances and plasticizers, but not chemically bound to plasticsbut not chemically bound to plastics

Dispersed via food, air, water, soilDispersed via food, air, water, soil

Continuous exposure of aquatic Continuous exposure of aquatic organisms and humans, especially organisms and humans, especially childrenchildren

Found in children’s toys, as high as Found in children’s toys, as high as 28% – 47% by weight28% – 47% by weight

PHTHALATES AND PHTHALATES AND AQUATIC ORGANISMSAQUATIC ORGANISMS

Discharged in sewage and stormwaterDischarged in sewage and stormwater

Exposure via water, sediments, food Exposure via water, sediments, food chainchain

Impaired reproduction in mussels and Impaired reproduction in mussels and sand fleas in Thea Foss Waterway in sand fleas in Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington

Can have ripple effects on ecosystem.Can have ripple effects on ecosystem.

PHTHALATES AND PHTHALATES AND HUMAN HEALTH HUMAN HEALTH

Block testosterone production.Block testosterone production.Abnormal reproductive system Abnormal reproductive system development in male fetusesdevelopment in male fetusesCorrelation between exposure of baby Correlation between exposure of baby boys to phthalates in breast milk and boys to phthalates in breast milk and decreased testosterone productiondecreased testosterone productionCorrelation between reduced sperm Correlation between reduced sperm quality and high urinary levels of quality and high urinary levels of phthalates in adult menphthalates in adult men

VITELLOGENIN AND MALEVITELLOGENIN AND MALE FISHFISH

Male fish exposed to chemicals that act Male fish exposed to chemicals that act like estrogens produce vitellogenin like estrogens produce vitellogenin (vtg).(vtg).

Puget Sound Assessment and Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program, spring of 1997-Monitoring Program, spring of 1997-2001, surveyed adult English sole at 16 2001, surveyed adult English sole at 16 sites for exposure to EDCs, using sites for exposure to EDCs, using blood plasma vtg as indicator.blood plasma vtg as indicator.

VITELLOGENIN AND MALE FISHVITELLOGENIN AND MALE FISH

Vtg found in male Vtg found in male fish at 12 sitesfish at 12 sites

Highest levels in Highest levels in Commencement and Commencement and Elliott Bays: 1900 - Elliott Bays: 1900 - 5900 ppb5900 ppb

11.8% - 47% of male 11.8% - 47% of male fish affected at sites fish affected at sites in these bays in these bays

EDCs AND BREAST CANCEREDCs AND BREAST CANCER

Incidence of breast cancer has tripled Incidence of breast cancer has tripled in industrialized countries since 1960. in industrialized countries since 1960.

Currently 1 in 8 women in U.S.Currently 1 in 8 women in U.S.

Genetic predisposition accounts for Genetic predisposition accounts for <10% of breast cancer cases.<10% of breast cancer cases.

~50% of breast cancer cases are in ~50% of breast cancer cases are in women with no known risk factors.women with no known risk factors.

EDCs AND BREAST CANCEREDCs AND BREAST CANCER

Chronic exposure to EDCs that mimic Chronic exposure to EDCs that mimic estrogen may be a contributing factor.estrogen may be a contributing factor.Significant body of experimental, Significant body of experimental, epidemiologic, and ecologic studies epidemiologic, and ecologic studies support this hypothesis.support this hypothesis.Women who move from countries with Women who move from countries with low breast cancer rates to developed low breast cancer rates to developed countries soon acquire the higher risk countries soon acquire the higher risk of their new country.of their new country.

SUPPORTING EVIDENCESUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Atrazine causes mammary cancer in Atrazine causes mammary cancer in other mammals.other mammals.Exposing pregnant mice to extremely Exposing pregnant mice to extremely low levels of BPA altered the low levels of BPA altered the development of the mammary gland in development of the mammary gland in their female offspring at puberty. their female offspring at puberty. Phthalates significantly increase cell Phthalates significantly increase cell proliferation in human breast cancer proliferation in human breast cancer tumors. tumors.

SUPPORTING EVIDENCESUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Increased breast cancer risk among Long Increased breast cancer risk among Long Island, New York women residing within one Island, New York women residing within one mile of hazardous waste sites containing mile of hazardous waste sites containing pesticidespesticidesCorrelation between PCB levels in fatty Correlation between PCB levels in fatty tissue and risk of breast cancer recurrence in tissue and risk of breast cancer recurrence in Long Island women Long Island women Exposure to three pesticides was associated Exposure to three pesticides was associated with increased risk of breast cancer in Latina with increased risk of breast cancer in Latina agricultural workers in California.agricultural workers in California.

SUPPORTING EVIDENCESUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Exposure to EDCs (prenatal and in Exposure to EDCs (prenatal and in everyday products) may be everyday products) may be contributing to earlier puberty in girls.contributing to earlier puberty in girls.

Earlier puberty is risk factor for breast Earlier puberty is risk factor for breast cancer.cancer.

EDCs AND MALE EDCs AND MALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHREPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Incidence of testicular cancer has Incidence of testicular cancer has doubled in past 50 years.doubled in past 50 years.

Data from 15,000 men and 60 countries Data from 15,000 men and 60 countries show 42% decrease in average sperm show 42% decrease in average sperm count and 18% decrease in average count and 18% decrease in average semen volume from 1940 to 1990.semen volume from 1940 to 1990.

Especially true in urban areasEspecially true in urban areas

SUMMARY OF EDC FINDINGSSUMMARY OF EDC FINDINGS

Many synthetic chemicals released into the Many synthetic chemicals released into the environment can disrupt endocrine systems environment can disrupt endocrine systems of fish, wildlife, and humans. of fish, wildlife, and humans. EDCs have more severe effects on embryos EDCs have more severe effects on embryos or newborn organisms than on adults.or newborn organisms than on adults.One EDC or a mixture of EDCs may impair One EDC or a mixture of EDCs may impair functioning of reproductive system, thyroid functioning of reproductive system, thyroid gland, and pancreas.gland, and pancreas.EDCs are a major long-term threat to EDCs are a major long-term threat to biodiversity and sustainability.biodiversity and sustainability.

BPA RESTRICTIONS BPA RESTRICTIONS

Canada is first country to declare BPA is Canada is first country to declare BPA is toxic (April 18, 2008) and to ban BPA in baby toxic (April 18, 2008) and to ban BPA in baby bottles (October 18, 2008). bottles (October 18, 2008).

Most major retailers have also removed food-Most major retailers have also removed food-related BPA products from their stores.related BPA products from their stores.

Proposed Washington State ban on BPA in Proposed Washington State ban on BPA in food or drink containers for children age 3 or food or drink containers for children age 3 or younger (Safe Baby Bottle Act of 2009) would younger (Safe Baby Bottle Act of 2009) would begin on July 1, 2010. begin on July 1, 2010.

PHTHALATE RESTRICTIONSPHTHALATE RESTRICTIONS

Washington State Children’s Safe Products Washington State Children’s Safe Products Act of 2008 prohibited sale of toys and other Act of 2008 prohibited sale of toys and other children’s products with phthalates >100 children’s products with phthalates >100 ppb. Took effect this year.ppb. Took effect this year.www.HealthyToys.orgwww.HealthyToys.org

DECREASING EXPOSURE TO DECREASING EXPOSURE TO EDCs – INDIVIDUAL ACTIONSEDCs – INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS

Heed government agency advisories Heed government agency advisories about fish consumption.about fish consumption.

Avoid animal fat as much as possible.Avoid animal fat as much as possible.

Avoid or decrease use of pesticides. Avoid or decrease use of pesticides.

Eat organically grown produce.Eat organically grown produce.

Minimize contact between food and Minimize contact between food and plastics. plastics.

Do not give plastic toys to babies.Do not give plastic toys to babies.

DECREASING EXPOSURE TO DECREASING EXPOSURE TO EDCs – INDIVIDUAL ACTIONSEDCs – INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS

Ask your state legislators to vote for Ask your state legislators to vote for BPA ban.BPA ban.

Attend Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition Attend Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition lobbying day in Olympia – March 5lobbying day in Olympia – March 5

Get involved in environmental nonprofit Get involved in environmental nonprofit organizations that address EDC issues.organizations that address EDC issues.

Sign petition to President Obama (see Sign petition to President Obama (see Breast Cancer Fund website).Breast Cancer Fund website).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONFOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Breast Cancer Fund (Breast Cancer Fund (www.breastcancerfund.orgwww.breastcancerfund.org))Institute for Children’s Environmental Health Institute for Children’s Environmental Health ((www.iceh.orgwww.iceh.org))Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (www.pugetsoundkeeper.orgwww.pugetsoundkeeper.org))Silent Spring Institute (Silent Spring Institute (www.silentspring.orgwww.silentspring.org) ) Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition (Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition (www.toxicfreelegacy.orgwww.toxicfreelegacy.org))Washington Toxics Coalition (Washington Toxics Coalition (www.watoxics.orgwww.watoxics.org))

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONFOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Colburn, Theo, Dianne Dumanoski, and Colburn, Theo, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers (1997), John Peterson Myers (1997), Our Stolen Our Stolen Future, Future, Penguin Books, New York, N.Y.Penguin Books, New York, N.Y.

two-credit course at Evergreen Olympia two-credit course at Evergreen Olympia Extension during spring quarter: Extension during spring quarter: Wednesdays, April 1 – June 3, 6:30 – Wednesdays, April 1 – June 3, 6:30 – 8:30 PM8:30 PM