Archived press release

oestrogenic pollutants #1

25 July 1995

Despite new evidence showing how certain chemicals which interfere with hormones are implicated with breast and testicular cancer, small penises, undescended testicles and sterility, the Government will today announce no more than the need for more research[1]. However, Friends of the Earth argues that urgent precautionary action is needed now to protect the nation's sexual health[2].

Roger Lilley, Friends of the Earth's Industry and Pollution Campaigner said:

"There is clearly a need for action by the Government in the face of a growing mountain of evidence about the effects of these chemicals. The Government should apply the precautionary principle to protect the public from gender-bending pollution."

"The extraordinary lack of monitoring data by the water companies is a major cause for concern. Bland reassurances and moves towards more research are unacceptable."

Those chemicals that are considered to pose the most significant danger to the operation of the sex hormones oestrogen and androgen include:

alkylphenolic compounds which are derived from industrial detergents and can mimic oestrogen causing the development of female characteristics in males phthalates which are used in the plastics and publishing industries and can leak into food and drink pesticides such as DDT[3] and Vinclozolin where breakdown products can severely interfere with the operation of the male hormone androgen as well as mimicking oestrogen dioxins which can block the operation of oestrogen PCBs, which used to be manufactured to make transformers and capacitors the pesticides lindane and atrazine which are implicated in breast cancer

Researchers increasingly identify toxic levels of oestrogen mimicking chemicals in the environment. Earlier this year the results of a survey in the UK were published which showed levels of one oestrogen-mimicking chemical (nonylphenol) in the river Aire had reached levels toxic to wildlife. In January 1995 Friends of the Earth (FOE) published a report in which it recommended that a tolerable level for alkylphenolic compounds in rivers, estuaries and drinking water is likely to be below 1 part per billion[4]. In January 1994 (FOE) published evidence of the feminisation of fish in British rivers such as the Lea, a source of London's drinking water[5].

The author of Friends of the Earth January Report, Dr Michael Warhurst, commented:

"There is now a huge amount of evidence which shows that many chemicals are able to affect the body's hormonal systems, potentially leading to reductions in fertility and increases in cancers of the reproductive organs. It is time for action, not more research - we must stop using these dangerous substances."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

[1] Report by the Institute of Environment and Health (Medical Research Council) commissioned by the Department of the Environment. [2] It has been suggested that symptoms such as cancer of the testicles, deformed penises, lowered sperm count, falling sperm quality and undescended testicles can be traced to one cause: industrial chemicals mimicking female hormones, affecting male children while they are still in the womb. Earlier this year it was reported in the Lancet that they "may be responsible for a massive decrease in male sperm counts and semen quality since 1940[Lancet 15.4.1995 pps. 933-935]." Even more recently [Nature 15.6.1995] it has been shown that oestrogenic chemicals can disrupt the action of male hormones, giving more evidence of the extensive way in which oestrogenic chemicals can alter the body's hormonal processes. [3] Though DDT is now banned in the UK, its breakdown products are a threat. [4] Friends of the Earth "An environmental assessment of alkyl phenol ethoxylates and alkyl phenols" 1995 [5] Friends of the Earth press release "London drinking water implicated in abnormal sperm performance", 21.1.1994

A four page briefing to support this press release is available from Friends of the Earth

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust