The Big Picture of Trace chemicals

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The Big Picture of Trace chemicals"

Theresa Leslie Bridges
5 years ago
Views:

Impacts of Trace Chemicals on the Environment David O. Norris Integrative Physiology University of Colorado at Boulder david.norris@colorado.

1 Impacts of Trace Chemicals on the Environment David O. Norris Integrative Physiology University of Colorado at Boulder The Big Picture of Trace chemicals And how we all fit into it. The Chemical Sea Around Us air PTU water Estradiol Ethinylestradiol Estriol TCDD (dioxin) Genistein soil Estrone Progesterone food Glycyrrhetinic acid Raloxifene 4-nonylphenol Bisphenol A o,p-ddd our bodies Phthalates Fluoxetine Tamoxifen Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Testosterone Trenbolone 1

2 The Chemical Sea Around Us Estrone PTU Ethinylestradiol Bisphenol A Estradiol Progesterone Estriol o,p-ddd Glycyrrhetinic acid TCDD (dioxin) Genistein 4-nonylphenol Raloxifene Phthalates Fluoxetine Tamoxifen Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Testosterone Trenbolone Some chemicals are antibiotics Some chemicals affect heart function Some chemical are neuroactive i.e., affect nervous system 2

3 Others affect hormone actions i.e., disrupt endocrine functions Others affect hormone actions i.e., disrupt endocrine functions = endocrine disrupting chemicals = EDCs Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) Estrogenic Androgenic Anti-thyroid Anti-adrenal Anti-estrogenic Anti-androgenic Glucocorticoids Obesogens Anti-insulin 3

4 Some Estrogenic EDCs Natural hormones Estradiol Estrone Estriol Pharmaceuticals Pesticides Ethinylestradiol Premarin/Equil Atrazine DDT Methoxychlor Everyday Chemicals Phthalates Bisphenol A Nonylphenol Industries Agriculture Food Medical & Vet Sources EDCs Antibiotics Etc. Animals Human Activities Endocrine Physiology All body functions are controlled or modified by hormones Hormones are natural body chemical regulators that work at very, very low concentrations 4

5 Hormones affect physiology through receptor molecules located on or in target cells Hormone R Target Cell Effect Neurotransmitters work the same way in the nervous system Neuroactive Chemicals EDCs Brain Endocrine Glands Synthesis Release Transport Action Metabolism/Excretion Chemical Products Humans Wastewater Drinking water Fishes 5

6 Estrogenic chemicals in wastewater Feminize male fish downstream Alter downstream sex ratios to favor females Cause development of intersex fish Produce contraceptive effects in adult fish Observations in Humans Increases in endocrine cancers Decreases in fertility More female births Earlier puberty Increased male birth defects Increased learning defects, autism Increased obesity Howard Bern: The Fragile Fetus Undeveloped DNA repair system Immature immune system Lack of detoxifying enzymes Primitive liver metabolism Lack of blood/brain barrier Increased metabolic rate Hence VERY sensitive to chemicals 6

7 Methoxychlor Reduced fertility, Increased cancer in males All normal offspring Anway and Skinner (2006) Endocrinology 147, S43-S49. Methoxychlor Reduced fertility, Increased cancer in males All normal offspring Anway and Skinner (2006) Endocrinology 147, S43-S49. Is our drinking water safe? YES & NO 7

8 Estrogenic chemicals Plastics Industrial Chemicals Inert Sprays Detergents >100 gal/day Food = what adult PCPs male excretes every Pesticides day Pharmaceuticals Estrogenic chemicals from many sources Plastics Industrial Chemicals Inert Sprays Detergents Food Personal Care Products Pesticides Pharmaceuticals Disrupting Chemicals from many sources Plastics Industrial Chemicals Inert Sprays Detergents Food Personal Care Products Pesticides Pharmaceuticals 8

9 Summary Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals in surface and ground waters are a reality Use of antibiotics, hormones, and pesticides in agriculture can contribute to water contamination Effects in wildlife, microbes, and laboratory animals as well as concerns for human health 9

Hormones. Hormones. When you hear the word hormones, what do you think of? When you hear the word hormones, what do you think of?

Hormones. Hormones. When you hear the word hormones, what do you think of? When you hear the word hormones, what do you think of? When you hear the word hormones, what When you hear the word hormones, what When you hear the word hormones, what When you hear the word hormones, what Hormones As your body s chemical messengers, hormones