Cell Biology 300a. Hormonally Active Pollutants and Human Disease
More than 100,000 chemicals are now manufactured and a very large number of these end up as environmental pollutants. Some of these, such as pesticides, plasticizers, PCBs, flame retardants, and heavy metals, have well-known and obvious toxic effects at high concentrations, and environmental protection plans are already in place or being developed.
However, recent experimental work carried out with model organisms is revealing that embryonic, fetal or neonatal exposure to very low “safe” levels of numerous pollutants can (i) induce previously undetected subtle changes in developmental programs regulated by estrogens, androgens, and other steroid hormones, (ii) increase the risk of reproductive, immune, metabolic or cognitive disorders, and (iii) increase the risk of adult-onset disorders such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes and reduced fertility. There are also growing concerns that hormonally active pollutants (HAPs) are interfering with the development and reproductive fitness of wildlife, potentially contributing to reductions in biodiversity.
This course will examine key experiments that led to the concept of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors, look at current work in this emerging area with emphasis on molecular mechanisms, and consider how this work is impacting on the development of regulatory policy.
