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ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR SCREENING PROGRAM - PP9604
Impact/Purpose:
To screen pesticides, commercial chemicals and environmental contaminants for their ability to affect the estrogen, androgen and thyroid hormone systems of humans, fish and wildlife.
Description:
The Food Quality Protection Act Amendments of 1996 mandated that EPA test pesticides for estrogen effects on human health. The Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) proposed by EPA in the December 28, 1998 Federal Register was expanded to include estrogen, androgen and thyroid hormone systems; wildlife and fish; and commerical chemicals and contaminants. The EDSP is as a two tiered program. Tier 1 is a battery of in vitro and in vivo short-term screening assays that identify chemicals that have the potential to interact with the estrogen, androgen and thyroid systems. Chemicals positive in the Tier 1 screening battery will be tested in Tier 2. Tier 2 consists of multi-generation tests in mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and invertebrates and will provide information on the adverse effects of the chemical and other information needed for hazard evaluation. FQPA mandated that all assays used in the EDSP be validated. Validation represents the majority of the work that EPA must accomplish prior to regulatory application of the program. Each assay will be individually peer reviewed and EPA's final recommendation for Tier 1 battery will be peer reviewed separately by the SAP.