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EPA To Begin Testing Pesticides for Endocrine Disruption

Release Date: 04/15/2009
Contact Information: Suzanne Ackerman, (202) 564-4355 / 7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. – April 15, 2009) EPA has issued the first list of pesticides to be screened for possibly disrupting the endocrine system.  Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interact with and possibly disrupt the hormones produced or secreted by the human or animal endocrine system, which regulates growth, metabolism and reproduction.

“Endocrine disruptors can cause lifelong health problems -- especially for children,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Gathering this information will help us work with communities and industry to protect Americans from harmful exposure.”

EPA will issue test orders to the manufacturers of 67 pesticide chemicals this summer to determine whether their chemicals may disrupt the endocrine systems (estrogen, androgen and thyroid).  Testing, conducted through the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), will eventually be expanded to cover all pesticide chemicals.

The list was developed on the basis of exposure potential and should not be construed as a list of known or likely endocrine disruptors.  The listed pesticide chemicals were selected because there is high potential for human exposure through food and water, residential activity, or agricultural pesticide application. 

Also being announced today are revised policies and procedures that EPA will follow to order testing, minimize duplicative testing, promote equitable cost-sharing, and protect manufacturers’ confidential business information.  

More information on endocrine disruptors:   www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo