Three teams of Arizona scientists are focusing research on a class of chemicals in the state water supply that could lead to cancer, infertility, birth defects or other health problems.
The chemicals, known as endocrine disruptors, mimic certain hormones and then interrupt or exaggerate chemical reactions, leading to potential health threats.
Endocrine disruptors are found in pharmaceuticals, soaps, plastics, fabrics, cosmetics, soft drinks and other common household and industrial products. They enter the water supply through drains, sewers and agricultural runoff.
One team of scientists has recently identified higher-than-expected concentrations of endocrine disruptors in Arizona rivers. The other two teams are trying to determine how damaging the disruptors can be to people by studying their effect on wildlife along the rivers.
"Endocrine disruptors are everywhere," said David Walker, a University of Arizona researcher who studies the effect of the chemicals on native fish. "These are things that have made it easier for us to survive as a species, but at the same time, the long-term effect of being exposed to low doses of these compounds, nobody knows about."
At present, very little is known about the threat to human health, but researchers at all three Arizona public universities hope to change that soon.
Full Story: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0121endocrine0109.html
Teams Study Pollutants in Arizona Rivers
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By Annalyn Censky
The Arizona Republic, January 21, 2008
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