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Post-UNEP/WHO EDC State of the Science 2012 reportPersonal reflections by Åke Bergman, coordinator of the above mentioned report, IPCP vice chair and Executive director of the Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center

Global reactions to the UNEP/WHO 2012 EDC report

Activities in relation to the proposed “Future needs” as phrased in State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals – 2012

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Global reactions The UNEP/WHO 2012 report on EDCs has been both praised and criticized by

scientists and stakeholders

No specific critique regarding the “Key concerns” and none regarding the “Future needs”

The report has been particularly well received at the Regional SAICM meetings during 2013/14

The report is being used for educational purposes in schools and in academiaBecause the UNEP/WHO 2012 report stimulated significant debate, the authors of the this report, undertook a project to evaluate the content of this debate, producing an in depth scientific discussion in a just accepted article: “A Path Forward in the Debate over Health Impacts of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals”, Environmental Health, In press. Addressing in particular the characteristics of the debate:• Definitions of common EDC related terms (e.g. endocrine disrupting chemical, adverse

effects, endocrine system.• Elements of hormone action including “potency”, “endpoints”, “timing”, “dose” and

“thresholds”. • Information needed to establish sufficient evidence of harm. • The need to develop and the characteristics of transparent, systematic methods to review

EDC literature.

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Future needsA. Strengthening knowledge of EDCs

The scientific data generation is speeding. Numerous new incentives, projects and articles but still limited in hormone system studied/affected and limitation in chemicals being studiedExamples: Epigenetic studies; Female reproduction; Metabolic syndrome (obisity), Mixture toxicities; Exposure analyses/pathways

The lack of any review of Computational toxicology for EDCs has been identified

To stress:• Human toxicology/endocrine system strongly related to the corresponding

systems in wildlife• The majority of hormone systems not included in EDC assessments• Lack of data on chemicals in materials and goods• Many points made under “Strengthening knowledge of EDCs” to address

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0 µg/L TDCiPP 100 µg/L TDCiPP

TDCiPP, a chlorinated organophosphate flame retardant

Thyroid glands:

0 10 100 10000

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9Epithelial cell height (µm)

Concentration (µg/L)

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Data from Norrgren et al., SLU 2014

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- A EU funded research project May 2009 – January 2014- 7 institutes in 5 countries (NL, BE, FR, NO, SL)

OBesogenic Endocrine disrupting chemicals: LInking prenatal eXposure to the

development of obesity later in life*Main conclusions• Current levels of some EDCs may be a risk factor

for obesity• Gender specificity• Divergent effects of pre- and postnatal exposure• Strength of study: combination of models• Mechanisms: generated new hypotheses

* Data obtained from Prof. Juliette Legler, IVM, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Future needsB. Improved testing for EDCs.

Just one example of what’s going on in OECD (aquatic testing)

Gastropod reproduction tests (EDC)Fish Embryo Toxicity Test (General tier 1)Fish 21-day screening assay (EDC)Fish sexual development test (EDC)Fish full life-cycle test (EDC)Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay (EDC)

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Future needsC. Reducing exposures and thereby vulnerability to diseaseD. Identifying endocrine active substances

No specific comments. The needs is still valid.Declaration of chemicals in materials and goods a prerequisite for going forward to reduce exposures

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A very recent example: Chlorinated paraffins leaking from hand blenders into food.

M5Brand: OBH Nordica, Kitchen, Quickmix Model: 6705Production country: Not specifiedMaximum blending time: 10 sec. intervals, 1 min.

Bergman et al., 2014 Reports to the Swedish Chemicals Agency and National Food Agency

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Future needsE. Create enabling environments for scientific advances, innovations and disease prevention

Two Nordic initiatives during 2014:International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health- EDMaRC

Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (Swetox) with focus on:EDCsNanosafetyToxicology and environmental effects of pharmaceuticals

and to be a Watch dog regarding emerging chemicals, health and environment issues.

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Future needsF. Methods for evaluating evidence

Ongoing international project “Proposal for a framework for systematic review and assessment of endocrine disruption” – a project including some 20-30 professionals from academia and authorities.