Some investigators have hypothesized that estrogens and other hormonally active agents found in the environment might be involved in breast cancer increases and sperm count declines in humans as well as deformities and reproductive problems seen in wildlife. This book looks in detail at the science behind the ominous prospect of "estrogen mimics" threatening health and well-being, from the level of ecosystems and populations to individual people and animals. The committee identifies research needs and offers specific recommendations to decision-makers. This authoritative volume: Critically evaluates the literature on hormonally active agents in the environment and identifies known and suspected toxicologic mechanisms and effects of fish, wildlife, and humans. Examines whether and how exposure to hormonally active agents occursâ€"in diet, in pharmaceuticals, from industrial releases into the environmentâ€"and why the debate centers on estrogens. Identifies significant uncertainties, limitations of knowledge, and weaknesses in the scientific literature. The book presents a wealth of information and investigates a wide range of examples across the spectrum of life that might be related to these agents.

Provides the most current information and research available for performing risk assessments on exposed individuals and populations, giving guidance to public health authorities, primary care physicians, and industrial managers Reviews current knowledge on human exposure to selected chemical agents and physical factors in the ambient environment Updates and revises the previous edition, in light of current scientific literature and its significance to public health concerns Includes new chapters on: airline cabin exposures, arsenic, endocrine disruptors, and nanoparticles

With contributions by international experts in academia, chemical manufacturing, government research laboratories, regulatory agencies, and private consulting, this guide explores the potentially damaging influence of environmental agents on the endocrine system. It examines endocrine toxicology's increased importance in environmental safety issues

An Indispensable Reference of Air, Soil, and Water Pollutants This second edition of Environmental Toxicology focuses on the biological and health effects toxins have on living organisms. It also stresses the relationship between human activity and the environment, relating changes in the environment with the changing patterns of human d

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) play an integral role in biomedical research, enabling researchers to examine physiological mechanisms and pathways relevant to human pathogenesis and its therapy. That, along with their low cost, easy manipulation, short reproductive cycles, and physiological homology to humans, has made zebrafish a vital model organism for neuroscience research. Zebrafish Protocols for Neurobehavioral Research addresses protocols for both larval and adult models, written by the leading experts in the field of zebrafish research. Part I of this book takes advantage of the high-throughput nature of larval models to offer protocols for research requiring high output, easily manipulated screens. The second half of the book focuses on the robust and sophisticated behaviors of adult zebrafish, suitable for the neurophenotyping of complex traits and multi-domain disorders. Importantly, these models complement each other, working together to provide researchers with valuable insights into neurobiology of normal and pathological behavior. Thorough and cutting-edge, this volume is a useful, authoritative reference guide that should hold a coveted spot in zebrafish laboratories across the globe.

Highlighting cutting-edge research on human exposure to endocrine toxicants and the related harmful effects, this book focuses on the challenges of dealing with increasing pollution levels, increased use of synthetic chemicals, and environmental endocrine disruptors that endanger the human endocrine system and its hormones. Found in manmade and natural substances and materials, these toxicants include pesticides, herbicides, industrial chemicals, solvents and byproducts, phytoestrogens, nanomaterials, and chemicals used in personal care products. They may mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones and are linked with developmental, reproductive, brain, immune, and other problems. The volume discusses the chemical nature and mechanisms of endocrine disruptors, their sources, the impact of endocrine toxicants on a sustainable environment, and the effect of endocrine toxicants on human health, such as on thyroid glands, on human reproduction, etc. The volume also looks at the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants on endocrine disorders in humans.

Thermoregulation is vital for survival but the interplay between toxic insults and thermoregulatory mechanisms is often poorly understood. Temperature and Toxicology: An Integrative, Comparative, and Environmental Approach is the first major text to study the integrative thermoregulatory responses of mammals that are exposed to toxicants. Because e

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the three most important themes in the field of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) research: the basic biology of EDCs, particularly their effects on reproductive systems; EDC effects on humans and wildlife, including biomedical considerations; and potential interventions and practical advice for dealing with the problem of EDCs.

The increasing prevalence of preterm birth in the United States is a complex public health problem that requires multifaceted solutions. Preterm birth is a cluster of problems with a set of overlapping factors of influence. Its causes may include individual-level behavioral and psychosocial factors, sociodemographic and neighborhood characteristics, environmental exposure, medical conditions, infertility treatments, and biological factors. Many of these factors co-occur, particularly in those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. While advances in perinatal and neonatal care have improved survival for preterm infants, those infants who do survive have a greater risk than infants born at term for developmental disabilities, health problems, and poor growth. The birth of a preterm infant can also bring considerable emotional and economic costs to families and have implications for public-sector services, such as health insurance, educational, and other social support systems. Preterm Birth assesses the problem with respect to both its causes and outcomes. This book addresses the need for research involving clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science disciplines. By defining and addressing the health and economic consequences of premature birth, this book will be of particular interest to health care professionals, public health officials, policy makers, professional associations and clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science researchers.

Endocrine Disruption and Human Health starts with an overview of what endocrine disruptors are, the issues surrounding them, and the source of these chemicals in the ecosystem. This is followed by an overview of the mechanisms of action and assay systems. The third section includes chapters written by specialists on different aspects of concern for the effects of endocrine disruption on human health. Finally, the authors consider the risk assessment of endocrine disruptors and the pertinent regulation developed by the EU, the US FDA, as well as REACH and NGOs. The book has been written for researchers and research clinicians interested in learning about the actions of endocrine disruptors and current evidence justifying concerns for human health but is useful for those approaching the subject for the first time, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students. - Provides readers with access to a range of information from the basic mechanisms and assays to cutting-edge research investigating concerns for human health - Presents a comprehensive, translational look at all aspects of endocrine disruption and its effects on human health - Offers guidance on the risk assessment of endocrine disruptors and current relevant regulatory considerations