FE448 Research for management of environmental risks from endocrine disrupters
- contexts, knowledge base, methodologies and strategies
Timo Assmuth and Kimmo Louekari, 2001.
The Finnish Environment 448, Environmental protection, 219 p.
URN:ISBN:9521117982. ISBN 952-11-1798-2 (PDF).
The publication is available also in printed form ISBN 952-11-0834-7 (nid.)
Abstract
The report contains an analysis of the knowledge base and knowledge production on hormonally active environmental chemicals and of contexts, needs and strategic issues in related research and methods development.In addition to anthropogenic
environmental chemicals and explicitly hor- monal effects, also other substances and agents (e.g.endogenous hormones, some drugs and phytoestrogens)and related mechanisms and other effects such as reproductive toxicity have been regarded to some
extent.Research has been defined broadly, including besides biological sciences and medicine also research and development in other (applied)natural and socio-economic sciences. The relationships of research with risk assessment and management, and issues
of particular impor- tance for Finland and other Nordic countries, have been emphasized. Overriding themes include evidence for and uncertainties of hormonal anomalies and causative factors, and definitions of the significance of effects considering their
broader framework. The risks caused by endocrine disrupting or modulating substances have not been assessed thoroughly, the approach being mainly methodological. The report constitutes no research programme, but a review and analysis meant to form one
basis for development of research.
For characterization of research, a relatively large body of scientific publications have been evaluated,mainly on hormonal effects of chemicals from Internet and other databases, and from some other reports and materials.Information reported in the
ongoing work for EU on listing of potential endocrine disrupters has also been utilized. Evaluation of research and identification of research needs and opportunities have been augmented by the first Finnish workshop on research in hor- monally active
environmental chemicals, arranged within the project. On the basis of the workshop, information and opinions on research in this area have been surveyed also by a questionnaire. Information has additionally been obtained from Nordic, OECD, EU and other
international cooperative activities, databases and other sources.
More information
Timo Assmuth, Finnish Environment Institute, Phone +358 9 403 000.
firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi
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