| |
|
|
 |
| |
Some chemical substances commonly found in our environment and
possible to enter the human body have been found to have
hormonal activities. It has also been pointed out that other
substances may have hormone-like activities although definitive
evidence has not yet been obtained. The concern about endocrine
disruptors has thus arisen.
Wildlife studies and findings from endocrinology, endocrine
toxicology and reproductive toxicology have indicated that
substances with hormonal activities can affect the endocrine
system of organisms, which may lead to health problems of
individuals, the entire or partial populations, or their
offspring. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has
recognized this problem as a major task and established in April
1998 the Advisory Committee on Health Effects of Endocrine
Disruptors, which reports to the Director of the then
Environmental Health Bureau, to clarify the problem and
investigate the action mechanisms of the substances. The
Advisory Committee have since been promoting a wide range of
studies for that purpose in cooperation with relevant agencies
and research institutes.
|
| |
|
|
|
