how pesticides mimic hormones

University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822

(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail

Contact: Gordon Grau, 808 236-7406

May 26, 1997

Learning how pesticides mimic hormones, affect health

Many industrial pesticides can mimic hormones. Accumulation of these pesticides in the environment has been linked to the disappearance of male fish from British streams, death of seals in the Northern Sea, reduced genital size in Florida alligators and deformities in frogs.

Possible affects in humans include the decreased sperm counts observed in French and Danish men and developmental abnormalities of the female reproductive system. Such affects can be determined in long term studies of populations, says UH Professor Gordon Grau. The challenge is to predict which chemicals will cause untoward affects before they are widely used.

UH scientists have developed a bioassay they believe is fast, sensitive and accurate. They are beginning to test the bioassy by correlating results of it with the actual effects on fish populations of chemicals found in high concentrations in areas like Kailua's Enchanted Lake.

This is the University Report, I'm Tracy Orillo Donovan.

-UH-



University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822	(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail
Contact: Gordon Grau, 808 236-7406		May 26, 1997
Learning how pesticides mimic hormones, affect health Many industrial pesticides can mimic hormones. Accumulation of these pesticides in the environment has been linked to the disappearance of male fish from British streams, death of seals in the Northern Sea, reduced genital size in Florida alligators and deformities in frogs. Possible affects in humans include the decreased sperm counts observed in French and Danish men and developmental abnormalities of the female reproductive system. Such affects can be determined in long term studies of populations, says UH Professor Gordon Grau. The challenge is to predict which chemicals will cause untoward affects before they are widely used. UH scientists have developed a bioassay they believe is fast, sensitive and accurate. They are beginning to test the bioassy by correlating results of it with the actual effects on fish populations of chemicals found in high concentrations in areas like Kailua's Enchanted Lake. This is the University Report, I'm Tracy Orillo Donovan.