IUPAC,
IUPHAR, and IUTOX publish a report on Natural and anthropogenic environmental
oestrogens: the scientific basis for risk assessment
The scientific underpinning for the controversial international
concerns about endocrine disrupters has been addressed in detail in
a recent issue of the journal Pure and Applied Chemistry (ref.
Vol. 70, No. 9, 1998). This effort by three preeminent international
scientific organizations covers a wide range of scientific aspects and
subjects relevant to the issue and provides the background information
necessary for informed debate.
The 19-chapter report, "Natural and Anthropogenic Environmental
Oestrogens: The Scientific Basis for Risk Assessment" was prepared by
the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in collaboration
with the International Unions of Pharmacology (IUPHAR) and of Toxicology
(IUTOX), and with the support of the International Council for Science
(ICSU). The subject, commonly known as endocrine or hormone disrupters,
is a complex, emotional, and controversial issue for which many scientific
questions remain. Several aspects related to human and environmental
health are presented, and the Conclusions and Recommendations drafted
by the presidents of the three Unions review the policy issues and how
they relate to the science.
This publication is the result of continuous efforts
to address issues of societal and industrial concern objectively, involving
the chemical sciences. A similar report on Chlorine was published in
September 1996.
For further information, visit http://www.iupac.org/publications/pac/special/0998/
or contact IUPAC Secretariat P.O. Box 13757 Research Triangle
Park, NC 27709-3757, USA. Phone: +1 919 485 8700, Fax: +1 919 485 8706
E-mail:[email protected]