Endocrine modulators and wildlife: Assessment and testing
The proceedings of a European workshop on "Endocrine modulators and wildlife: Assessment and testing" have recently been published by SETAC-Europe (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry). The workshop, which took place in Veldhoven, The Netherlands, on 10-13 April 1997, was jointly organized by SETAC, the OECD and the European Commission (DG XII). Bringing together some 50 leading experts from fields of direct relevance to endocrine modulating effects, the primary purpose of the workshop was to address the issue of hazard identification of endocrine modulators in wildlife. Areas covered included: hazard identification of endocrine modulators; terrestrial and aquatic wildlife; all chemicals, including general industrial substances, pesticides and pharmaceuticals; contaminated environmental media. As an outcome of the workshop, a realistic approach for the development of testing methodologies and a strategy for identification of the hazards associated with endocrine modulators are proposed. There is, however, recognition that there are still substantial gaps in knowledge of endocrine modulation in wildlife and that further research is necessary in order to identify the most appropriate ways of addressing certain aspects of this issue.