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Jan-Jun 2000

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Subject: Malathion Sent: 4/9/00 From: K. Cooper.

I am doing research on environmental pollutants for my Masters thesis. I would like to know what concentration of Malathion has been sprayed in New York city and other areas. I am specifically interested in the final concentration in the air and the exposure level of someone outside at the time of spraying. Can anyone help me or suggest a source that might?

Subject: DES and third generation Sent: 4/1/00 From: K. Larnard-Davis.

This web site opens all kinds of questions for me. I have a daughter that is 26 and diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis 2 with bilateral acoustic neuromas and the researcher at the House Ear Institute has informed me that my daughter's case could be that she is a 3rd generation DES granddaughter. I have had nothing but problems over the years and a classic DES daughter. I had a hysterectomy at age 26 and it was a really bad case of endometriosis. Getting back to my daughter, she has had two brain surgeries for brain tumors. She still has two in the brain and four that are on the spine in various areas. It seems like a never ending surgical nightmare. I am told that chromosome 22 is the tumor suppressor gene and that due to a gene mutation or genetic defect but nobody in either family is affected so is this that far fetched? Just curious.

Reply: Retha Newbold Sent: 4/10/00 From: Biologist, Reproductive Toxicology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Thank you for your inquiry because it is questions like yours that focus attention on the third generation effects of DES. Unfortunately, epidemiology studies on third generation DES effects are just now getting started by the National Cancer Institute so we do not have data available to show a definitive association in humans. However, data with the DES mouse model does suggest that the third generation is indeed at increased risk for developing neoplasia. The mechanisms responsible for this increased risk are not known but are the subject of intense study by my lab and others specializing in sensitive molecular markers. I suggest that your family stay in close contact with the physician that recognized the potential association of DES exposure and third generation effects since this is not general knowledge for the medical community. Also, I suggest that you contact DES Action, 1615 Broadway, #510, Oakland, California, 94612 or contact them at their web site, www.desaction.org. This is a non-profit group of mothers, daughters and sons that have experienced the tragedies of DES. DES Action is an excellent support group plus they are extremely knowledgeable about current research and clinical findings. If permitted, I will share your note with those in a position to influence additional funding for DES third generation research.

Subject: Phytoestrogens Sent: 3/23/00 From: prpeach.

I am currently taking 1140 milligrams (mg) wild yam (Discorea villosa), 1725 mg fenugreek, and 1650 mg saw palmetto. I began taking these a couple of months ago because I heard they would enlarge the breasts and since it was herbal I assumed that it was safe. I haven't seen the results yet so it's probably a gimmick but I have received other benefits. (Sometimes I take these amounts twice daily because that is what was recommend.)

Also, I have let my 14-year-old daughter take them thinking they were harmless. I don't want to do anything to harm her well-being. However, I am concerned about her development. She began her menstrual cycle 19 months ago and has been very regular. However, her breasts have not continued to develop. They have not grown since the onset of menstruation. This concerns me because she is basically too small to even measure for a bra. I put her in a 32a with some padding to give her some shape but it is embarrassing when she plays tennis and needs to wear a sports bra or swims and needs to wear a swimsuit. She is no longer growing taller and is 5'6".

I am thinking that since her cycle is regular the estrogen is there it just isn't getting to the breasts. Is there a condition in which estrogen receptor sites are malfunctioning? Is there anything that can be done? I thought maybe some phytoestrogens would stimulate development, but I would hate to be doing the opposite if they are competing with estrogen. But then again we weren't seeing any evidence of natural estrogen in breast development. Please hurry in your response to my inquiry and be specific in your professional opinion.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 4/11/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

Our web site is information based only. We do not offer advice on personal health issues but do sometimes provide information sources about the health topic. In your case, I cannot comment on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of consumer products. The jury is still out on the effectiveness/ineffectiveness and safety of consuming large quantities of phytoestrogens. See Phytoestrogens and the Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors web site for more on phytoestrogens and estrogen's role in healthy breast tissue. Also, I do not know of any condition where breast tissue would not respond to estrogen due to malfunctioning estrogen receptors. If that were the case, the receptors would not respond to phytoestrogens either. A women's breast size, in general, is usually determined by maternal genetics. An active young women's healthy breasts should not be embarassing even if they do not meet your or society's size expectations.

Subject: Phytoestrogens/osteoporosis/hot flushes Sent: 3/10/00 From: E. Norris.

If phytoestrogens are non steroid molecules and simply displace oestrogen from binding sites , is there any way they could conceivably help osteoporosis? Also, after reading the leader article it does seem a little worrying that many women who have breast cancer are using phytoestrogens to help hot flushes because their physicians including people like myself assume they are safe.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 4/10/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

I am not aware of any studies looking at phytoestrogens and osteoporosis so I cannot offer any information about links between the two. The breast cancer risk is still unknown and not well understood. Visit the Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in New York State's website to find more detailed information about these topics.

Subject: Environmental retinoids Sent: 3/10/00 From: P. Nugent.

Is there any evidence for "environmental retinoids", i.e. environmental toxins that activate retinoid receptors? I seem to remember reading about a group of pesticides showing such effects in an in vitro assay system. Such compounds might exhibit teratogenic effects of retinoids, or at least contribute to the teratogenic load on individuals and act on susceptible individuals/genomes.

Reply: Gerald LeBlanc Sent: 4/10/00 From: Toxicology Professor, North Carolina State University

Studies with amphibians have shown that synthetic juvenoids (insect growth regulators) or their degradation products may interact with retinoid receptors RAR or RXR. The most studied of these pesticides is methoprene. While methoprene does not elicit effects indicative of interaction with a retinoid receptor, it is a potent developmental toxicant following exposure to light, water, or microorganisms. See LaClair et al. 1998. Environ. Sci. Technol. 32:1453-1461.

Subject: Regulations Sent: 3/8/00 From: N. Oree.

I am looking for information on any provincial, federal, international regulations, guidelines, general rules regarding EE's in particular and their usage. This info is needed because I am doing a presentation at University of Winnipeg, MB, Canada, on EE's, more specifically an environmental impact assessment on EE's, and this info would be greatly appreciated.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 4/10/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

For the U.S., look at the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program website. For Europe, look at Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) web site. For Canada, contact Environment Canada.

Subject: I hope I'm not going to die Sent: 3/4/00 From: A. Atkinson.

Hello, I know the subject is weird but I really need an answer to this question. I stupidly placed our dogs hormone tablets next to mine, and I woke up in the morning half asleep and accidentally took two of them. I didn't notice that they were the dogs until too late. Will that do any thing to my body? Will I get sick or won't it affect me seeing i only took two? Please I know it must sound funny, it does if you think about it. I have moved the dogs ones to a better place now. I just need to know will I be okay. I mean I feel fine. Anyway, thank you for any help you can give me.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 3/22/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

This is not a medical web site and therefore any information supplied is not to be construed as medical advice. Given that steroid hormones are typically the same throughout all mammals, ie, the same estrogens are found in mice, dogs, humans but the amounts and dominant kind vary by species, and that you only took two, you may not suffer any long term harm. You don't say why your dog is taking hormones, are they steroids for inflammation? estrogens for estrus control? Put your fears at bay by calling your veterinarian and asking if the hormone pills will hurt humans. Also, it is a good thing you moved the dog's medicine away from your pills.

Subject: Insects and EE Sent: 3/3/00 From: B.A. Grueter.

Are there any current studies on the effects of environmental estrogens on insects? If so where can I find them?

Reply: Gerald LeBlanc Sent: 4/10/00 From: Toxicology Professor, North Carolina State University

The current thinking among entomologist is that insects don't respond to estrogenic chemicals as do mammals and other vertebrates. There is currently no evidence for an estrogen receptor in insects. Whether or not insects contain estrogen receptors should be definitively resolved with the recent cloning of the entire fruit fly genome. There is evidence that some chemicals that are estrogenic in vertebrates may bind to other receptors in insects and interfere with processes such as molting and development. This tends to occur at high exposure concentrations and would not be considered an estrogenic response. Try the following resources for more information.

• LeBlanc, G.A. et al. 1999. The endocrinology of invertebrates, In: Endocrine Disruption in Invertebrates: Endocrinology, Testing, and Assessment (deFur PL, Crane M, Ingersoll C, Tattersfield L eds.), SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL, 23-106.

• Nijhout, HF. 1994. Insect Hormones. New Jersey:Princeton University Press.

• De Loof, A and R Huybrechts. 1998. Insects do not have sex hormones: A Myth? General and Comparative Endocrinology. 111:245-260.

Subject: PCBs and marine mammals Sent: 2/22/00 From: D. Duckworth.

I am a research biologist working for Naval R&D. I am looking for data describing poly-chlorinated biphenyl concentrations in animals. Do you know of a good source to find this type of data? I am particularly interested in marine mammals and predatory birds but others such as cormorants and ducks would also be helpful.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 4/11/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

Search the online databases Medline and Toxline. The journal Science of the Total Environment publishes lots of articles about PCBs and other chemical pollution in marine mammals and the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has had a number of articles as well. Also, try Journal of Toxicology.

Subject: Paper mill effluent Sent: 2/27/00 From: R. Claire.

I am studying for a BSc Hons Degree in Environmental Health in Glasgow, Scotland. For my final year project I am looking into the presence of environmental estrogens in pulp mill effluent and their subsequent effect on wildlife in surrounding waters. I was wondering if you would have any information or statistics available on this particular area of research and would be much obliged if you could respond.

Subject: Smoking Sent: 2/21/00 From: K & K.

I'm curious about the increased risk of exposure to environmental estrogens from smoking cigarettes. Does tobacco itself, or the pesticides applied to it, carry estrogens?

Subject: Maps of environmental estrogens Sent: 2/17/00 From: M. Gumpertz, Assoc Professor, Statistics, NCSU.

Are there any map or GIS datasets available with concentrations of environmental estrogens for the Los Angeles area?

Subject: EE clinical studies Sent: 2/2/00 From: B. Torres.

Where would I find individuals interested in performing clinical studies on EE effect on a specific illness? Or individuals who would be willing to discuss (in-depth) the effect of EE in causing or exacerbating a particular disorder? I have some unsubstantiated evidence linking EE to a disorder and would really like some with medical (endocrinological) and EE experience.

Subject: Phytoestrogens Sent: 1/30/00 From: A. Lester-Smith.

Such clarity and objectivity, is rare indeed. I refer to the article on Phytohormones.

Having searched for months for demystification on the issue, now that I've found it thanks many times over. The information will be passed on to my doctor (a very fine general practitioner) who tried briefing, me but admitted knowing little on the subject, she advised great caution in using phytohormones (Solgar Isoflavones). However because of the remarkable and instant benefits experienced (peri-menopause with rheumatoid arthritis), I continued taking supplements despite lingering doubts. These have been well and truly allayed.

Subject: Soy milk and endometriosis Sent: 1/22/00 From: N.K.H.

I started drinking soy milk in June,1999. In November,1999, I experienced sharp pain in my lower back. An ulrasound showed that I have a cyst on my ovary which turned out to be endometriosis. I had to have a surgery where my ovary was removed because the endometriosis cyst was the size of an orange. My question is whether drinking soy milk was the cause of the sudden cyst.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 1/25/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

The best person to consult is your physician. He/she can tell you if they think the cyst was fast-growing or had been there a while. Also, they can inform you on the connection between the endometriosis and the cyst. Other things to consider and ask: Do you have a history of endometriosis or is this your first knowledge of the condition? What are the causes of endometriosis? Has it ever been linked to soy products?

We are not a medical web site and I am not a licensed medical professional so my answer is an opinion at best. However, research shows that soy may be beneficial and may help prevent certain types of reproductive cancers. Asian women who eat a whole lot more soy than Western women do not have a higher incidence of endometriosis and have lower rates of reproductive cancers. In my opinion, it seems unlikely that drinking a couple of glasses of soy milk could initiate a fast-growing cyst, with the root cause from endometriosis, in a little more than six months.

Subject: Looking for lab chemicals Sent: 1/20/00 From: Pharmalabs.

I need to obtain for my laboratory : GNRH , TRH,TSH, ACTH in injection or acuoso or ampollas.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 1/31/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

I do not have a specific company for you to contact. All I can tell you is that most of the major laboratory suppliers carry these products. You can use the Internet to browse and contact the major suppliers that deal in pharmaceutical supplies. One of my scientific contacts even said that many companies will donate for free recombinant hormones or drugs to basic researchers. Some companies are: Sigma, Thomas Scientific, Wards, and VWR.

Subject: Poly cystic ovary syndrome Sent: 1/19/00 From: J. Johnson.

I was diagnosed with PCOS more than ten years ago. Forty-two months ago I moved to an area that I later discovered was felt to have more than a normal amount of environmental estrogen. Though I had never had more than two or three cycles per year in the first twenty years of my reproductive life, since moving here, I've had AT LEAST one a month. Am I actually getting a BENEFIT from EE? There are several chemical plants in this area including a petroleum refinery and my husband's place of employment, which produces phenol. Are the phenol by-products responsible? If I move away from here, will the benefits of the EE cease? How can I regain them? I initially thought that "environmental estrogen" was a fantasy concept until I found this site.

Reply: Claude Hughes, M.D., PhD, Center for Women's Health, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA Sent: 1/31/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

Since women with poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) make either normal or increased levels of endogenous steroidal estrogens, it is not plausible that exposure of an adult to modest amounts of exogenous (usually low potency) estrogens would make any incremental difference.

It is plausible that during fetal development and the first 3 - 6 months of neonatal life, exogenous exposures could affect neuroendocrine development in ways that would manifest as a PCOS-like disorder later in life.

For instance, if she were exposed to exogenous estrogenic substances while in utero which might include estrogenic pesticides, then that could have changed the organization of clocks in the brain that regulate cycles later in life (meaning anytime after puberty). Any explanation for changes in cyclicity decades later are even more difficult to attribute to any single cause.

Subject: ED in sewage effluent Sent: 1/11/00 From: S. Gayle.

I work for the University of Technology, Sydney. I am carrying out a literature review on the effects of endocrine disruptors in sewage effluent used to irrigate crops and water livestock. I have found little research performed on their accumulation in this food chain or their effects. If you could send me any references or contacts I would be grateful.

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 1/13/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

1. Sewage effluent: Human hormones, most notably estrone and estrogen, have been detected in many waterways around the world. Little is known about the source of hormones in water, total cumulative amounts, or the potential risks to humans and wildlife.

   Some research articles (Purdom, C.E., Hardiman, P.A.; Bye, V.J, Eno, N.C., Tyler, C.R., Sumpter, J.P. 1994. Estrogenic effects of effluents from sewage treatment works. Chem. Ecol. 8:275-285) targeted ethynyl estradiol and alkylphenol polyethoxylates as the most likely sources of estrogenic activity in domestic sewage. More recently, a report from England substantiates the presence of hormones and hypothesizes human urine as the source (Desbrow, C., E. Routledge, D. Sheehan, M Waldock and J. Sumpter. 1997. The identification and assessment of oestrogenic substances in sewage treatment works effluents, Environment Agency Document, R&D Project 490).

   Newer research, summarized in "Drugged Waters" links pharmaceutical levels in water to human urine as a major source.

   For more, see:

   • Michael Warhust's hormone web page or Friends of the Earth web page.
   • Sumpter, J.P. 1995. Feminized responses in fish to environmental estrogens. Toxicol Letter, 82-83, 737-742.
   • Sumpter, J.P. and Jobling, S. 1995. Vitellogenesis as a biomarker for estrogenic contamination of the aquatic environment. Environ Health Perspect., 103 Suppl 7, 173-178.
   • Shore, Gurevitz and Shemesh 1993. Estrogen as an environmental pollutant. Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 51(3) 361-366.
   • Buser, H., M.D. Miller, and N. Theobald. 1998. Occurrence of the pharmaceutical drug clofibric acid and the herbicide mecoprop in various Swiss lakes and in the North Sea. Environmental Science & Technology 32(Jan. 1):88.
   • Hallung-Serensen, B., et al. 1998. Occurrence, fate and effects of pharmaceutical substances in the environmental review. Chemosphere 36(January):357.
   • Heberer, T. 1997. Determination of the clofibric acid and N-(phenylsulfonyl)-sarcosine in sewage, river and drinking water. Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 3:1.
   • Heberer, T., et al. 1997. Detection of drugs and drug metabolites in ground water samples of a drinking water treatment plant. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 6:438.
   • Raloff, J. 1998. Drugged waters. Science News 152(March 21):187.
2. Contacts for sewage waste as fertilizer: Laurie Valeriano, Washington State Toxics Clearinghouse and Jackie Hunt Christenson, IATP.

Subject: EEs and petroleum Sent: 1/7/99 From: J..

I have a question about environmental estrogen and petroleum oil. Do you know if it has been found in petroleum? When we take oil out of the earth, are we taking estrogen out too?

Reply: Wendy Hessler Sent: 2/17/00 From: ECME Web Site Manager

The hormone 17ß-estradiol (the most abundant estrogen) is only produced in living animals. Hormones like estradiol are not a component of crude oil and therefore, are not found in oil deposits. To date, it is not known if crude oil contains environmental hormones, molecules that may trigger hormone-like responses. However, some chemicals and products manufactured from crude oil and coal and some by-products of manufacturing and incomplete burning of fossil fuels may be considered environmental hormones because they may act on or through hormone pathways. A chemical like benzopyrene may fall into this category although much more research is needed to truly understand this type of environmental hormone.

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