7. CHEMICALS: Legislation calls for endocrine disruptor research program (12/04/2009)

Sara Goodman , E&E reporter

Two Democrats yesterday introduced legislation to increase understanding of how hormone disrupting chemicals are affecting public health.

The legislation, introduced by Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia, calls on the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to research the effects of chemicals on the human endocrine system, particularly among children.

"We need facts driven by science, not politics, ideology or powerful interests, when it comes to understanding the risks associated with chemicals -- especially where there's real concern about harmful developmental disorders in children," Kerry said in a statement. "The better we understand these chemicals, the better equipped we'll be to protect kids and the public."

Endocrine disrupters affect glands and hormones that regulate many bodily functions, most notably reproduction. Definitively connecting the chemicals to health problems is not easy, however, since people are exposed to many industrial chemicals.

The legislation would establish an independent panel of scientists to oversee research to identify endocrine disruptors and develop a prioritized list of chemicals to investigate. If the panel found even minimal concern about a chemical, the legislation would require the relevant federal agency to report to Congress and propose next steps within six months.

U.S. EPA has pledged to move quickly on a long-stalled program aimed at protecting the public from endocrine-disrupting chemicals -- the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. Earlier this year, the agency listed 67 pesticides that will be screened under the program, but Moran said the relatively small number of chemicals listed highlights the need for greater federal action.

"Despite more than a decade's time, the tests are limited to only a handful of pesticides and are based on science that many consider outdated," Moran said.

H.R. 4190, which authorizes $2.5 million for fiscal 2011 and "such sums as may be necessary" for 2012 through 2021, seeks to speed up the research by developing sensitive tests to screen chemicals and addressing the full range of possible health effects, such as developmental and reproductive problems, behavioral disorders, obesity and thyroid problems. A Senate bill number has not been assigned.

The Endocrine Society applauded the legislation, saying it would "advance endocrine science in the field of EDCs and will improve the regulatory process by ensuring it is informed by the best science."

The group urged lawmakers to ensure that the research include transgenerational effects, since hormone disruptors often affect the descendants of exposed individuals. It also is seeking greater regulatory authority for the highest-risk chemicals to restrict human exposure.