1. ENVIRONMENTAL ESTROGENS

2. Introduction Endocrine System Environmental Estrogens Recent reports Conclusion

3. Endocrine System is a complex network existing in all animals with backbone. Is responsible for the transmission of messages and chemical signals from glands to cells(hormones and receptors) in order to accomplish several body functions general pattern: signal received, hormonal response and reaction.

4. Environmental Estrogens Are substances, synthetic chemicals or natural plant compounds, that act or may act as if they were natural hormones called estrogens They can mimick, block or cancel out estrogens effects

5. RECENT REPORTS

6. LINDANE April 15, 1999 a report prepared by the Austrian Government suggests a ban on lindane lindane is a power insecticide used in farming - including as spray on apples, wheat and maize - and timber treatment In 1997, in the UK, 100,000kg were used in agriculture.

7. Harmful effects Category 3 carcinogenic substance hormone disruption behavioral changes nervous system damage immune system damage birth defects

8. DATA It wasn’t collected health and environmental data before its use was approved, and is still not available. There’s no data available to set a safe level of exposure for lindane. Lindane is already banned in Sweden, Denmark and France (in agriculture) A number of studies have suggested a link between lindane and breast cancer

9. DIELDRIN December 4, 1998 a report prepared by Danish researchers (Center for Preventive Medicine in Glostrup, Denmark) links Dieldrin to breast cancer women with the highest traces of the pesticide Dieldrin in their blood were twice as likely as women with the lowest levels to develop breast cancer

10. DIOXINS October 16, 1998 Declining sperm counts in men has been correlated with dioxin in several studies in INDIA endometriosis affects 10% of women in their reproductive years, was observed at very low doses of dioxin ingestion

11. CONCLUSION Scientists acknowledge that the real difficulty in the area of endocrine disruption is interpreting data We have human effects “ LOOKING FOR A CAUSE”.