Endocrine disrupting chemicals in the atmosphere: Their effects on humans and wildlife

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2014.12.006

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Highlights

•: Endocrine disrupting chemicals increase vulnerability to non-communicable diseases.
•: Atmospheric EDCs as aerosols and particulates are the significant source of exposure.
•: Mechanism of disruption involves interference in both hormone response and metabolic pathways.
•: Widely, EDCs decline wildlife population, alters sex ratio, decreases fertility and increases disorders and cancer prevalence.
•: Study on mechanism, exposure and effects demand the development of testing protocols and scientific collaboration worldwide.

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous agents that interfere or disrupt the normal synthesis, secretion, transportation, binding and metabolism of natural hormones; eventually dysregulating homeostatic mechanisms, reproduction and development. They are emitted into the atmosphere during anthropogenic activities and physicochemical reactions in nature. Inhalation of these EDCs as particulate and gaseous vapors triggers their interaction with endocrine glands and exerts agonist or antagonists actions at hormone receptors. The endocrine disruption at nanogram levels of EDC's has gained concern in the last decade, due to infertility among men and women, early puberty, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Thus, the review explores the literature that addresses the major occurring EDCs in the atmosphere including phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), dioxins, alkylphenols (APs) and perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). Sources, fate, half-life, mechanism, measured concentrations in air, bioaccumulation in tissues, laboratory exposures correlating to toxicological effects of these EDCs in humans and wildlife are discussed.

Graphical abstract

Abbreviations

EDCs, endocrine disrupting chemicals;
PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls;
PAHs, polyaromatic hydrocarbons;
BFRs, brominated flame retardants;
Aps, alkylphenols;
PFCs, perfluorinated chemicals;
POPs, persistent organic pollutants;
ER, estrogen receptor;
NOAEL, no observed adverse effect level;
LOAEL, lowest observed adverse effect level;
MRL, minimal risk level;
AhR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor;
TEF, toxic equivalency factor;
TEQ, toxicity equivalence;
TDI, tolerable daily intake;
OSHA, occupational safety and health administration;
PEL, permissible exposure limit;
TCDDs, tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins;
APEs, alkylphenol polyethoxylates;
NP, nonylphenol;
PFAAs, perfluoroalkylated acids;
PFOA, perfluorooctanoic acid;
PFOS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid;
FASAs, perfluorinated sulfonamides;
FASEs, perfluorinated sulfonamide ethanols;
N-Et-FOSA, N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide

Keywords

Organic vapors;
Exposure;
Bioaccumulation;
Endocrine disruption;
Atmospheric toxicants

: Corresponding author.

Cheryl & ethnovet

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Monday, 20 April 2015