ABSTRACT

Endocrine “disruption” by environmental contaminants has become a cause for con­ cern among scientists, environmental advocates, and politicians (1-3). A number

of compounds released into the environment by human activities can modulate en­ dogenous hormone activities and have been termed endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) (3-5). It has been hypothesized that such compounds may elicit a variety of ad­ verse effects in both humans and wildlife, including promotion of hormone-dependent cancers, reproductive-tract disorders, and a reduction in reproductive fitness (6).