The scientific underpinning for the controversial international concerns about endocrine disrupters has been addressed in detail in a recent issue of the journal Pure and Applied Chemistry (ref. Vol. 70, No. 9, 1998). This effort by three preeminent international scientific organizations covers a wide range of scientific aspects and subjects relevant to the issue and provides the background information necessary for informed debate.

The 19-chapter report, "Natural and Anthropogenic Environmental Oestrogens: The Scientific Basis for Risk Assessment" was prepared by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in collaboration with the International Unions of Pharmacology (IUPHAR) and of Toxicology (IUTOX), and with the support of the International Council for Science (ICSU). The subject, commonly known as endocrine or hormone disrupters, is a complex, emotional, and controversial issue for which many scientific questions remain. Several aspects related to human and environmental health are presented, and the Conclusions and Recommendations drafted by the presidents of the three Unions review the policy issues and how they relate to the science.

This publication is the result of continuous efforts to address issues of societal and industrial concern objectively, involving the chemical sciences. A similar report on Chlorine was published in September 1996.

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5-May-1999