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. 1999 Aug;107(Suppl 4):639–649. doi: 10.1289/ehp.99107s4639

Characterization of potential endocrine-related health effects at low-dose levels of exposure to PCBs.

A Brouwer 1, M P Longnecker 1, L S Birnbaum 1, J Cogliano 1, P Kostyniak 1, J Moore 1, S Schantz 1, G Winneke 1
PMCID: PMC1567499  PMID: 10421775

Abstract

This article addresses issues related to the characterization of endocrine-related health effects resulting from low-level exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the literature but reflects workshop discussions. "The Characterizing the Effects of Endocrine Disruptors on Human Health at Environmental Exposure Levels," workshop provided a forum to discuss the methods and data needed to improve risk assessments of endocrine disruptors. This article contains an overview of endocrine-related (estrogen and thyroid system) interactions and other low-dose effects of PCBs. The data set on endocrine effects includes results obtained from mechanistic methods/ and models (receptor based, metabolism based, and transport protein based), as well as from (italic)in vivo(/italic) models, including studies with experimental animals and wildlife species. Other low-dose effects induced by PCBs, such as neurodevelopmental and reproductive effects and endocrine-sensitive tumors, have been evaluated with respect to a possible causative linkage with PCB-induced alterations in endocrine systems. In addition, studies of low-dose exposure and effects in human populations are presented and critically evaluated. A list of conclusions and recommendations is included.

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Selected References

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