CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AND THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:

THE REAL EFFECTS.Morgan J FosterPUBH -8165-10

Walden UniversityFebruary 10, 2010

A presentation to the average agricultural family.

What is Public Health? “The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and

promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals” (C. E. A. Winslow)

Mission Promote Health Prevent Disease Assuring healthy conditions to the public

Functions Assessment Policy development Assurance

Focus Prevention Educate Health Promotion(Foster, 2009).

Rachel Carson(1907-1964)

Scientist Advocate

(Lear, 2000 & Robson, 2008).

The Endocrine System at a Glance

What is it? Hormone system

What does it include? 8 glands Pancreas

What does it do? Metabolism Development Reproduction

(Healthline, 2009).

Pituitary Master Anterior Posterior Hormones

(Healthline, 2009).

Adrenal Layers Functions Hormones

(Healthline, 2009).

Thyroid & Parathyroid Location Function Hormones

(Healthline, 2009).

Hypothalamus Location Control center Activities

(Healthline, 2009).

Pineal (thymus) Sleep/wake cycle Jet lag In infants

(Healthline, 2009).

Ovaries & Testes Function Female hormones

Estrogens Progestogens

Male hormones Androgens

(Healthline, 2009).

Pancreas Location Function Enzymes Hormones

(Healthline, 2009).

Role in Human HealthThe endocrine system is like a thermostat, increasing a

certain hormone when little is detected in the blood or visa versa. This is a type of feedback mechanism which is key in the proper function of the body.

When this function is skewed, certain diseases can form including: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, gigantism, and hypogonadism.

(Healthline, 2009).

Chemical Exposure Pathways

Inhalation Ingestion Absorption

(Moeller, 2005 p. 29-30).

Chemical Exposure cont’d Excretion

Urine Liver Lungs

(Moeller, 2005 p. 29-30).

Endocrine System vs. Chemical Exposure

Disruptors Definition Exposure routes

Effects EPA Screening Program Signs of occurrence

(NRDC, 2009 & EPA, 2009).

Quick Overview Public Health is focused on preventing disease and keeping

lives healthy. Rachel Carson was a huge advocate on the banning of

pesticides. The Endocrine system is important in development,

reproduction, and growth There are 8 main glands: hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid,

parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, ovary, and testes. The pancreas is also part of this system

If not kept in balance, diseases like diabetes mellitus can form Chemicals can be brought into the body via inhalation,

ingestion, and absorption Chemicals are excreted via urine, liver, and lungs These chemicals can altar the endocrine system by mimicking,

blocking, or modifying There are current screenings available by the EPA of chemicals

Articles to Read Rawlings, N., Cook, S., & Waldbillig, D. (1998). Effect of

the pesticides Carbofuran, Chlorpyrifos, Dimethoate, Lindane, Triallate, Trifluralin, 2,4-D, and Pentachlorophenol on the metabolic endocrine and reproductive endocrine system in ewes. Journal of Toxicology & Environmental Health, 54(1), 21-36. Available at http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=4&sid=9a76176e-fcdd-4ea8-ad2d-5eecb6b1ba5f%40sessionmgr13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=7621101.

Rogan, W. & Ragan, B. (2003). Evidence of Effects of Environmental Chemicals on the Endocrine System in Children. Pediatrics, 112(1), 247-2532 Available at http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=4&sid=63bef241-405b-4bca-a1b1-084ad1cce147%40sessionmgr10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=10145231#db=a9h&AN=10145231.

Articles to Read (continued) Thomas, J. (1998). Drugs and chemicals that affect the

endocrine system. International Journal of Toxicology, 17(2), 129-138. Available at http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=4&sid=70a1a514-c03c-4f53-9895-4a40afae0782%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=7616947.

Tilson, H. (1998). Developmental neurotoxicology of endocrine disruptors and pesticides: identification of information gaps and research needs. Environmental Health Perspectives, 106(3), 807-811. Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1533073/.

Websites to View Draggan, Sidney (Contributing Author);

Environmental Protection Agency (Content source); Emily Monosson (Topic Editor). 2008. "Endocrine disruption." In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). Available at http://www.eoearth.org/article/Endocrine_disruption.

Green Facts: Facts on Health and the Environment. (2009). Scientific facts on endocrine disruptors. Available at http://www.greenfacts.org/en/endocrine-disruptors/endocrine-disruptors.htm.

Questions?

References Foster, Morgan J. (2009, August 12). Public health:

What is it? PUBH 8002: Walden University. Healthline. (2009). Endocrine system. Retrieved

January 24, 2010 from http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/endocrine-system.

Lear, L. (2000). The life and legacy of Rachel Carson. Retrieved February 7, 2010 from http://www.rachelcarson.org/Biography.aspx.

Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental Health (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Harvard University Press.

References (continued) Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). (2009).

Endocrine Disruption. New York, NY. Retrieved January 24, 2010 from http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/bendrep.asp.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). (2009). Endocrine Disruptors. New York, NY. Retrieved January 24, 2010 from http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/qendoc.asp.

Robson, M. (2008). Toxicology and Environmental Epidemiology. Laureate Education, Inc.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2009). Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. Washington D. C. Retrieved January 24, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/endo/.

Thank You!