Abstract
The abnormality of reproductive organs, reduction of group size and the like in wildlife such as birds, reptiles, shellfishes, etc. has been already reported and these changes may possibly be caused by environmental chemicals with endocrine disrupting action. These chemicals are also feared to have adverse effects on humans. Suspected chemicals on humans are bisphenol A, alkylphenols, styrenes and phthalates, used as components of plastics or detergents in large quantity, and dioxins, produced through waste incineration. By in vitro and in vivo experiments using yeasts, cultured cells and rodents, it has been shown that bisphenol A and alkylphenols are estrogenic and dioxins are antiestrogenic. However, it should be mentioned that there is no adequate and consensus method for testing and evaluating endocrine disrupting action on humans at present time.
In this article, following to a brief description of the endocrine system, endocrine disrupters and detective methods, recent reports on the above chemicals are reviewed. Finally, as a recent topic, it is shown that a dramatic synergism by a combination of two chemicals to be weakly estrogenic was reported and soon after it was withdrawn.
