Endocrine Disruptors and Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Environmental chemicals that at certain doses interfere with the endocrine system are called endocrine disruptors; the disruption of homeostasis induced is including birth defects, feminizing effects and cancerous tumors. The critical window of development for most organisms is the in utero period where substantial damage to a developing fetus takes place after exposure to these chemicals; further, the risk of cancer development increases after environmental or occupational exposure later in life. In this review, epidemiological data are quoted regarding the increased cancer risk after the exposure to endocrine disruptors, while a current quantitation method of the chemical carcinogenesis evolving is also provided.

Ovarian Cancer Incidence in the U.S. and Toxic Emissions from Pulp and Paper Plants: A Geospatial Analysis

“…Using each site’s latitude/longitude coordinates, we mapped locations of individual facilities and overlaid them with ovarian cancer incidence rates that are aggregated to state and county boundaries. We also downloaded 2000–2012 data for two subcategories of pulp and paper mill emissions: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) carcinogens and dioxin; the latter is used in the chlorine-bleaching process of paper production [ 26 , 35 ]. Since 2000, separate data on these chemicals can be downloaded from EPA’s website.…”