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Endocrine Disruptors
Consumers'
Association of Penang
GIVING a voice to the little people? that is the objective of the Consumersf
Association of Penang. And thatfs what we have been doing since our
establishment in 1970.
CAP is a consumer organization with a difference. Fighting for fair
price and good quality products and services is just one of our many
activities. Our main concern is ensuring the right of every consumer
to basic needs such as food, housing, health care, sanitation facilities,
public transport, education and a clean environment. We want to encourage
within the people?especially the poor whose needs often go unnoticed?the
spirit and the confidence to represent their case to government, to
the public and to the private companies that oppress them.
Through research, educational and representational activities, we hope
to influence people at all levels: so that policy makers in government
look at how their development policies affect ordinary people, and give
priority to basic needs; so that ordinary people think more critically
and have the strength to resist trends and practices ( eg Smoking, gambling)
that can only make their lives more deprived.
To carry out the various activities, CAP has the following sections:
Research Section
- Has various subsections, each focusing on specific issues such as
health and nutrition, food and product safety, pharmaceuticals, basic
needs, environmental problems, market malpractice, finance, workersf
rights, unethical advertising practices, culture and lifestyle, and
issues related to women.
- Studies and surveys on these issues are carried out and sometimes,
tests are conducted to check the safety and quality of foodstuff and
consumer products.
Community and Rural Section
- Works with communities such as plantation workers, fishermen, farmers,
rubber smallholders, tenants and squatters, etc. and helps them articulate
problems related to their livelihood and living conditions.
- Also provides them with basic consumer education on issues such
as food, nutrition and health. This is done through talks, discussions,
house-to-house counseling, slide shows and exhibitions.
Education Section
- Provides consumer education for many groups, including school and
college students, teachers, women and youth groups, and religious
organizations. Organizes seminars, workshops, exhibitions and drama
competitions on consumer issues.
- Attention is particularly given to school students as they are the
future parents and policy makers. The section has helped to set up
consumer clubs in more than 200 schools in Penang and other states.
Through its consumer education programs, CAP hopes that a
new generation of conscious, concerned and committed citizens will emerge.
@
Complaints Section
- Handles complaints from the public on all kinds of issues eg. Poor
quality products and services, food adulteration, tenancy problems.
About 3,000-4,000 complaints are received annually through the mail,
by phone and personal visits from irate consumers.
Legal Section
- Handles public interest cases and represents communities in need
of legal assistance.
- Works closely with the Complaints Section to provide legal advice
to consumers and to monitor laws that affect consumers.
Publications Section
- Produces CAPfs news magazine, Utusan Konsumer. The Utusan has
four editions?English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Except for the fortnightly
English edition, the others are published monthly.
- Produces a monthly magazine for primary schoolchildren, called Utusan
Kanak-Kanak.
- Works closely with the other sections to produce books, reports
and pamphlets on various consumer issues. Also produces educational
kits and posters for distribution to the public and for use during
CAPfs education programs.
Media Section
- Produces and maintains audiovisual materials (videos, cassettes
and slides) for use during CAPfs education programs.
- Coordinates CAPfs major campaigns eg. The anti-smoking campaign
and the anti-alcohol campaign.
The Library
- Maintains a wide range of books, journals, reports and pamphlets
as well as a newsclipping collection to serve the reference needs
of the various sections in CAP. Published by Consumersf
Association of Penang, 87 Cantonment Road, 10250 Penang.
Memorandum on
ENDOCRINE
DISRUPTING CHEMICALS AN EMERGING
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE |
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. HOW EDC S DISRUPT THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM ?
3. EVIDENCE OF EDC EXPOSURE
4. SOURCES OF EDCS
5. Legislation on Chemicals in Malaysia.
6. INTERNATIONAL APPROACHES TO THE EDC PROBLEM.
7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
References
Footnote
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a) The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is the central, internal regulator of the body
chemistry, co-ordinating the 50 trillion cells in our body into
a controlled and intergrated organism. Without it our body cannot
function. The system works by releasing hormones, each from one
of over a dozen glands into the bloodstream.
Hormones produced in these glands are released into the blood stream
where many of them bind with specific proteins which help them arrive
at their final destination. Once they reach specific receptors cells
of their target organs they cause very specific reactions. In turn,
these reactions either increase or decrease the amount of hormones
released, creating a self - regulating feed- back loop.
Key glands include the pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal and
testis in men, and ovaries in women. The word `hormone' literally
means `to urge on' and is derived from Greek. Thus hormones provide
the stimulus for numerous bodily functions. The adrenal gland, for
example releases adrenaline hormone to curb stress whereas the thyroid
gland control, and maintain body temperature.
In this manner, the endocrine system controls an incredible number
of bio- chemical functions ranging from the reabsorption of water
in the kidneys, to the regulation of blood sugar levels, from heart
rate to responses of the immune system, and the timing of the menstrul
cycle. Additionally many important developmental processes are controlled
by hormones making this system of extreme importance for unborn
babies and developing children.
Endocrine systems are complex, looping cascades that can be disrupted
or modulated at many points. Hormones circulate in the body and
even at low levels, are responsible for maintaining balanced conditions,
such as blood pressure and the reproductive cycle. Different hormones
act in complementary ways on the same organ to regulate these functions.
Hormones can act on each other`s synthesis and distribution to affect
organ function.
Just about all animals have endocrine systems and certainly all
animals more complicated than a sponge rely on the endocrine system
for normal life functions. In wildlife, hormones regulate mating
behaviour, migration, fat deposition, hibernation, insect metamorphosis
and the shedding of shells by shrimps, crabs and lobsters.
Chemicals which disrupt, modify, or scramble endocrine signals are
called endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are a major emerging
problem the world over, and Malaysia is no exception, as these chemicals
have a widespread use both domestically as well as industrially.
The term Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC ) or `Environmental
Hormones' is used to describe chemicals that disrupt the endocrine
system of both humans and animals. These man-made chemicals can
be found in consumer and industrial materials like toxic waste,
metals like steel and lead, Polychlorinated biphenyl( PCB) ,Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), styroform, pesticides, and plastic.
The chemicals are passed via the food chain and exposure to extremely
small doses can have very adverse effects.Todate, over eighty chemicals
have been identified as endocrine disrupters and the number of chemicals
identified increases daily. Our knowledge on EDCs are recent . As
such, it was only recently that scientists were able to corelate
between the abnormalities that occur in nature to the presence of
these harmful and deadly chemicals.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
has adopted the following definition for an endocrine disrupting
chemical:
" An endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC)
is an exogenous substance that causes adverse health effects in
an intact organism, or its progeny, consequent to changes in endocrine
function"
" A potential endocrine disrupting chemical
(EDC) is a substance that possesses properties that might be expected
to lead to endocrine disruption in an intact organism" (1)
The Consumers Association of Penang submits this memorandum to the
authorities namely, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human
Resources,the Ministry of Science Technology and Environment and
the Ministry of Agriculture to alert our government on this urgent
and emerging issue. Studies on the use of EDC are necessary to under-stand
the full implications of these chemicals on human beings and the
environment. Steps should be taken to reduce the use of chemicals
which have endocrine disrupting properties. Various countries and
international bodies have drawn up guidelines and taken safety measures
to reduce the exposure of EDCs to humans and the environment. Our
authorities should take similar steps to protect Malaysians from
the effects of these `deadly' chemicals. It is our hope that this
memorandum will facilitate and expedite efforts at tackling this
very important issue.
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| 2. HOW EDC S DISRUPT
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM ? |
contents |
The EDC or "Environmental Hormones" mimic natural hormones in the body
and activate biological processes that would normally be self regulatory.
The chemicals could also block receptors of the natural hormones to turn
off the natural biological processes.
Based on what is known about the effects of chemicals on endocrine systems,
three classes or types of disruptors have been identified. These classes
are mimics, blockers and triggers.
Mimics:
Hormone mimics are chemicals that act like normal hormones in an animal`s
body. Diethylstilbestrol ( DES) the synthetic oestrogen given to women
with problem pregnancies, is an excellent example of an oestrogen mimic.
(Daughters whose mothers were given DES have a range of serious reproductive
disorders) Several other chemicals identified as endocrine disruptors
are oestrogen mimics.
Blockers:
The second group of disruptors are comprised of hormone blockers that
interfere with how naturally occurring hormones function. These chemicals
often act by binding to the same protein receptors as the real hormone,
but no action is stimulated. The blockers just sit in the way of the natural
hormone. The developmental problems of male alligators in Lake Apopka
Florida are caused by one of the DDE`s(1,1` - (2.2 dichloethenylidene)
- bis{4 - chlorobenzene} ) blocking the action of testosterone which is
one of the class of male hormones called androgens.(DDE is a metabolic
breakdown product of the pesticide{ Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane}DDT)
Triggers:
Triggers, the third category of disruptors, include chemicals that interfere
by attaching to protein receptors but then trigger an abnormal response
or action in the cell - a response that the regular hormone would not
cause. The abnormal action may be growth at the wrong time, an alteration
of metabolism or synthesis of a different product. The best known of this
type of endocrine disruptors are dioxin, and dioxin-like chemicals. Dioxin
acts through a hormone-like process, but neither mimics nor blocks natural
hormones.
The EDCs manifest in four ways:
| 1 |
They affect both the embryo and adult organism.
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| 2 |
They affect the offspring rather than the organism,
although it was the parents of the offspring which are the
ones exposed. to. |
| 3 |
Timing of the exposure is critical as well as
the amount and length of time the chemicals have been consumed.
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| 4 |
Manifestation of EDC takes place during the adult
stage although exposure to the toxin occurred during its early
stages of growth such as during the embryo development. |
The effects of exposure to the "environmental hormones" include increased
mortality.abnormal sexual characteristics, and reproductive defects that
result in declining number of offspring in a given population The effects
are evident in wildlife population especially as noted in the Great Lakes,
which has demonstrated that EDC profoundly impair animal reproduction
and development. Birds with deformed beaks , female birds that nest with
females and male alligators with undeveloped penises all have high levels
of endocrine disruptors such as PCB`s(Polychlorinated biphenyl), Dioxin
and DDE`s respectively. Laboratory research reveals that fish eggs do
not develop when exposed to even low levels of PCB and dioxin.
Pregnant rats given a single dose of dioxin at a specific time gave birth
to male rats with a range of reproductive problems.
It has also been documented that Greenland polar bears in polluted environments
have failed to reproduce successfully.
Studies in the West have also shown that of late , there has been an increased
incidences of certain cancers and human reproductive abnormality. These
findings have been reported extensively, and they may well be due to the
environment that is laced by these chemicals. For example:
* Studies have shown that the sperm count of men in industrialised
countries has declined by nearly half over the past forty years.
* In women, the incidence of endometriosis (abnormal over growth of
the lining of the uterus other than itself for example in the ovaries).
It is a well known fact that endometriosis causes infertility. The incidence
of endometriosis has increased tremendously.
* Medical records in the west reveal that the rate of testicular cancer
has tripled in the last three decades.
* Ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies outside the uterus) increased 400
percent in the USA between 1970 and 1987.
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In Malaysia it has been reported that about 30,000 new cancer cases
are reported every year making it the second biggest cause of death
after cardiovascular diseases (2)
Official statistics show that the number of cancer cases in the
country has risen steadily over the years.
In 1990 it was reported that there were only 26,854 reported cases
of cancer in the country. However by 1996 the figure had risen to
37,294 cases, an increase of 40 percent (3)
In Malaysia the standardised cancer incidence rate was 115 for every
100,000 males and 120 for every 100,000 females. (4)
Cancer statistics supplied to CAP by the Ministry of Health show
that in 1996 , there were a total of 11,655 admissions for 8 common
types of cancer excluding lung cancer at government hospitals
They are:
* Breast cancer (3,575 cases) - 30.7% of
all total admission
* Colon cancer (2,088 cases) - 17.9%
* Cancer of the rectum (2,029 cases) - 17.4%
*
Liver cancer (1,475 cases) - 12.7%
* Stomach cancer ( 1,349
cases) - 11.6%
* Cancer of the oesophagus (713 cases) -
6.1%
* Cancer of the pancreas ( 406 cases) - 3.5%
* Cancer of the small intestines (20) -0.17%
Deaths in the Ministry`s hospitals in 1996 due to malignancy shows
the cancer location as follows:
* Lungs: 543 cases
* Breast (female) :165 cases
* Liver :165 cases
* Stomach : 142 cases
* Rectum : 99 cases
* Colon : 94 cases
* Oesophagus : 71 cases
* Pancreas : 56 cases
In 1996, the total number of deaths due to cancer in government
hospitals was 1,335 cases . (5) Other forms of cancer are also becoming
more prevalent. For example :
* About 400 - 500 new
cases of lymphoma (a malignant tumour of the lymphoid tissue are
reported each year (6)
* Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
is now ranked among the top 3 cancers. It is estimated tha about
10 percent of sufferers died of this cancer in 1997(7).It is also
reported that the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in the Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia detected an average of 3 such cases a month
or 36 cases in 1997 (8)
* Some 500 children under
15 years are diagnosed with cancer each year. Of these leukaemia
ranks the highest making up 40 percent.(9)
* The Ministry
of Health has identified oral cancer as the fifth most common cancer
in the country with between 150 and 200 cases detected annually.(10)
The annual nationwide projection for new cancer cases was 30,000
with about 90,000 current cases. The number of cancer cases are
also expected to grow over the next seven years. (11)
The incidence of childhood cancer in Malaysia is 73.5 per million
this is similar to the rate reported in America and the United Kingdom.
About 51 percent of cancers encountered in children is leukaemia
making it the most common childhood cancer. (12)
Although the causes of the cancer affecting an individual are unknown,
the exposure to chemicals have been identified as one of the causes.
| b) Declining Sperm Count and Reduced Fertility |
contents |
The most detrimental effect of EDCs is their ability to damage the
reproductive system of both males and females - a condition which
could lead to the extinction of life on this earth.The effect of
EDCs on male fertility is more profound if males are exposed at
a young age.
This phenomenon has been linked to a wide range of industrial chemicals
especially EDCs that interfere and mimic the action of hormones.
Higher levels of PCBs and other synthetic chemicals are found in
the blood.of infertile men, thus implicating these chemicals as
a cause of infertility.Various studies done in Denmark, France ,
Scotland and Belgium have lent support to this.
A study conducted in Denmark showed that the average sperm count
has dropped to 66 million per ml in 1990 from 113 million in 1940.
The volume of semen has also dropped by 25 per cent, producing an
effective sperm decline of 50 per cent. The study showed that the
number of men with low sperm count in the range of 20 million per
ml has tripled, while the number of men with high counts in excess
of 100 million has also decreased significantly.(13)
In 1985, CAP addressed the problem of male sterility. In a memorandum
to the authorities, we cited some studies conducted by the National
Family Planning Board which showed that 30 - 40 per cent of all
cases of infertility are due to men.
According to the study half of them suffered from oligospermia where
the number of sperm in the semen is far below normal. 5 per cent
of them can be considered as having no sperm in their semen, a condition
known as `azoospermia' (14)
The Infertility Clinic of the National Population and Family Development
Board reported in the June issue of the Malaysian Journal of Reproductive
Health Vol11, No1, June 1993 that during the period of 1986-1988,
they performed semen analysis on 711 samples. 7 per cent of the
samples tested were found to be azoospermic, 20.5 per cent oligospermic
. (15)
It has been established that in 30 per cent of infertile couples,
males contribute significantly. (16)
In Malaysia the incidence of infertility is on the rise so much
so that an expert has even called the situation as an infertility
epidermic.The problem is due to a variety of reasons that involve
both males and females. (17)
Infertility is a problem of conceiving which is said to be present
in about 10-15 percent of the couples in the reproductive group.
(18)
In the female the causes include ovulation disturbances such as
tubal obstruction or diseases, endometriosis and immunological problems.
In the male there are several factors that may result in poor sperm
quality and these include varicosele (a condition where the vein
of the penis becomes swollen and tortuous ), low sperm count and
weak sperm.(19)
The fertility rate of the Malaysian population has shown a decline
over the years. For example between 1970 - 1980 the birth rate slowed
down considerably with a decline of 8 percent over the decade. (20).
Although there may be other causes of infertility, there is strong
evidence to indicate that chemical exposure is one of its causes.
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Most of the chemicals that exhibit endocrine disrupting properties are
synthetic , fat soluble compounds such as pesticides and compounds used
for industrial purposes. The pesticides include chlorinated organic chemicals
such as DDT and kepone. Industrial compounds include PCB`s, phenol and
dioxin, some of which are manufactured intentionally while others are
accidental by - products. The most common characteristics of EDCs are
they are persistent. They tend to remain in the environment or animals
for a long period
The human body carries EDCs from past exposure and on-going intake. Most
of these chemicals come from animal-based foods, primarily from animal
fats that contain low levels of these chemicals. Fish from contaminated
areas contain higher concentration in their fat, as may beef, pork and
chicken.
A certain amount can come from drinking water. Pesticides used at any
point in food production can almost be accumulated and passes on to the
eventual consumer - humans, pets and wildlife.
There is still some uncertainty about the extent to which humans are exposed.
In the past six years a number of chemicals with oestrogenic properties
have been identified in waste waters, in leachate from plastic materials
and in the material used to coat tin cans.
In 1998, a study conducted in Japan shows that plastic feeding bottles
made of polycarbonate leached out Bisphenol A - EDC compound.
In the tests, plastic feeding bottles made of polycarbonate were placed
into hot water and then transferred to tepid water ( the normal procedure
which mothers do before mixing milk for their babies). On testing it was
found that the bottles leached out up to 5.5 parts per billion of Bisphenol
A.
Following this, CAP conducted a survey and we found that nine out of eleven
plastic bottles indicated that they were made of polycarbonate. The other
two samples did not indicate the material they were made of .(21)
This shows that Malaysian babies fed from bottles made from polycarbonate
may be consuming Bisphenol A in their feeds.
Bisphenol A is also used as a coating in tin cans.
In 1996, tests conducted by the Taiwan Consumers Association showed that
instant noodle packed in styrofoam containers were contaminated with styrene.
Out of 49 samples of instant noodle tested, 2 samples were found to contain
1,000 parts per million of styrene. Almost eighty percent of the samples
tested had styrene levels higher than 400 ppm. According to the report
the styrofoam containers used for the noodles leached styrene when boiling
water was poured into them.(22)
Styrene has been identified as an EDC.
According to the World Health Organisation`s Environmental Health Criteria
on styrene , analytical surveys of food and food packaging available have
shown that styrene migrates into food from both rigid and expanded polystyrene
foam containers.
Oestrogenic chemicals have been identified in commercial products, industrial
materials, pesticides and in waste stream. There has not been a clear
indication of how extensive the human population has been exposed to.
The uncertainty is partly due to the fact that the available data on the
effect of EDC were obtained from studying wildlife and there are no similar
data from human population.
The sources of these chemicals are two fold - pesticides that get into
our food supply and industrial processes that release chemicals that eventually
get into our food. Pesticides applied to crops, facilities, animals, animal
food and products can remain on or in the food.
Industrial chemicals can get into the food supply if the emissions are
deposited into the environment and picked up by fish, cattle, hogs, poultry
etc. The atmospheric emmissions from incinerators and other combustion
processes are, in fact the major sources of exposure to Dioxin and PCB`s
Researches have identified several products found in plastics as oestrogenic
and some of them can leach out of the plastics into liquid. There is a
potentially large exposure pathway here in the form of all the plastics
used in food preparation, storage and cooking. There is no data to show
that these chemicals are NOT absorbed into the food.
Malaysians are using plastics indiscriminately in their everyday lives.
Practically all the take-away food outlets are either using plastic or
styrofoam containers for storing food. The components of plastics and
styrofoams are EDC compounds and they are capable of leaching into the
food especially where oily food is concerned.
| 5. Legislation on
Chemicals in Malaysia.
|
contents |
Presently there is legislation in Malaysia that controls in one way or
another the importation, manufacture, use and transport of various types
of chemicals. Altogether seven ministries are involved in enforcing one
or more of these legislation.Following are the list of laws, on chemicals
and pesticides currently enforced in Malaysia.
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a) Pesticide Board - Ministry of Agriculture:
1. Pesticide Act, 1974 1.1 Pesticides (Regulation)
Rules 1976 1.2 Pesticides (Importation for Educational or Research
Purposes) Rules 1981. 1.3 Pesticides (Licensing for Sale and
Storage for Sale) Rules 1988. 1.4 Pesticides (Labelling) Regulations,
1984
b) Ministry of Health
1.
Food Act 1983 1.1 Food Regulations 1985
2. Sale
of Drugs Act 1952 (Revised 1989) 2.1 Control of Drugs and Cosmetics
Regulations 1984
3. Poisons Act 1952 (Revised 1989)
3.1 Poisons list Order 1983 3.2 Poisons (Sodium arsenite)
Act 1969 3.3 Poisons (Sodium hydroxide ) Regulation 1962 3.4
Poisons (Psychotic Substances) Regulations 1989.
4.
Medicines (Advertisment and Sale) Act 1956 5. Dangerous Drug
Act, 1952 6. Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act,
1985 7. Hydrogen Cyanide Fumigation Act 1953 (Revised 1981)
c) Ministry of Trade and Industry
1. Trade Description Act , 1972
2. Industrial Coordination Act 1975
d) Factories
and Machinery Department - Ministry of Human Resources
1. Factories and Machinery Act 1967 1.1 Factories and
Machinery (Asbestos Process)Regulation, 1986 1.2 Factories and
Machinery (Lead) Regulations 1984 1.3 Factories and Machinery
(Mineral Dust) Regulations 1989 2. Petroleum (Safety Measures)
Act 1984 2.1 Petroleum (Safety Measures) (Transportation by
Pipeline) Regulations 1985
e) Customs
and Excise Department - Ministry of Finance
1.
Customs Act, 1967 1.1 Customs (Prohibition of Export) Order
1988 1.2 Customs (Prohibition of Import) Order 1988
f) Department of Environment, - Ministry of Science,
Technology and the Environment
1. Environmental
Quality Act , 1974 1.1 Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulation
1978 1.2 Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluent)
Regulations 1979 1.3 Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste
) Regulations 1989 1.4 Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises)
( Scheduled Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities) Regulations
1989 1.5 Environmental Quality (Pescribed Premises) ( Scheduled
Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities Order) 1989
g) Road Transport Department, - Ministry of Transport
1. Road Transport Act, 1987 1.1 Motor Vehicles (Construction
and Use)(Vehicles Carrying Petroleum Products) Rules1965
h) Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transport
1. Civil Aviation Act, 1969 1.1 Air Navigation
Order 1953, Article 37.
>From the above we can see
that, there is no comprehensive piece of legislation that controls
the importation, management, handling and use of chemicals particularly
industrial chemicals and consumer products - where EDCs are involved
.There is a need to develop a comprehensive national legislation
to control the import and handling of chemicals as a whole , including
all products derived therefrom
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| 6. INTERNATIONAL
APPROACHES TO THE EDC PROBLEM.
|
contents |
According to a report compiled by the OECD in November 1997, no countries
had specific restrictions on the discharge of EDCs. Due to the effects
of such chemicals, however, some countries, including the United States
and United Kingdom have begun to tackle the problem.
| A. Approaches in other countries
|
contents |
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In the United States, the Food Quality Act (FQPA) and the Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA) Amendments were enacted in August 1996, mandating
the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare a screening program
for chemicals having oestrogenic or other endocrine disrupting properties
within two years and implementing the program within three years.
The Agency is expected to come up with a draft program in August
1998. The National Academy of Science is now preparing a report
on the EDC problem which will be released to the public.
In January 1998, the Environmental Agency, an independent agency
of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Region, presented
a priority study project and called on the industry to restrict
the discharge of EDCs and to introduce safer substitutes. The agency
has been asking for public comments on the matter. The deadline
for submitting comments was set at the end of April 1998. The Agency
is expected to consider administrative measures on the basis of
public comments. The department is also preparing a priority list
and promoting research and study on effects on the marine environment
|
| B. The
Approach of International Organisations |
contents |
|
| 1. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development(OECD) |
contents |
The OECD decided in November 1996 to develop test guidelines, including
screening methods for EDCs
The first meeting of the working group was held in March 1998 to
start activities with a view to developing a harmonized testing
strategy for endocrine disrupters. A total of 45 experts from 19
countries and regions attended the meeting and they decided on a
framework for their future activities.
| 2. The Intergovermental Forum on Chemical
Safety (IFCS) |
contents |
The problem of EDCs was discussed at the IFCS held in Ottawa, Canada
in February 1997 and the partcipants confirmed the importance of
the problem. Because of lack of scientific studies, they advised
the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals
(IOMC) to influence organisations concerned to promote the study
and international exchange of information.
Based on the IFCS recommendation, a steering group of the International
Programme on Chemical Safety(IPCS) and the OECD was established
and it met for the first time in March 1998 to establish an inventory
of reseach activities on endocrine disruptors. The meeting agreed
to provide an international report by spring of 2000
| 3. |
Start of international talks
to adopt a legally binding instrument for the restriction
of Persistent Organic Pollutants(POPS) |
contents |
In the `Global Programme on Actions for the Protection of Marine
Environment from Land-based Activities' adopted in November 1995
, it was agreed to adopt a legally binding instrument to restrict
12 persistent organic pollutants. All 12 pollutants are suspected
to be EDCs.
International meetings to work out and adopt a legally binding instrument
will start in June 1998 under the leadership of the United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP). The document is expected to form an
important framework to deal with the problem not only for industrialised
countries but also in a global context.
The`Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade'is now
being negotiated under the leadership of UNEP. It will require a
country exporting harmful chemicals and pesticides to obtain prior
consent from the importing country in order to manage international
trade of harmful chemicals in an environmentally sound manner. EDCs
are now included among the substances requiring prior informed consent.
An early adoption of the convention, therefore is important in promoting
international efforts against the problem. (23)
The`Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade'is now
being negotiated under the leadership of UNEP. It will require a
country exporting harmful chemicals and pesticides to obtain prior
consent from the importing country in order to manage international
trade of harmful chemicals in an environmentally sound manner. EDCs
are now included among the substances requiring prior informed consent.
An early adoption of the convention, therefore is important in promoting
international efforts against the problem. (23) |
| 7. CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATIONS: |
contents |
>From the above, there is definite cause for concern. All studies that
have been done in the West suggest that there are widespread exposures
to some environmental chemicals that disrupt hormones and that some of
hese could be behind the increases in breast cancer, testicular cancer
and prostate cancer.
Given the nature of findings thus far, it is imperative that the Malaysian
Government adopt a precautionary approach. This means that the Government
adopt precautionary action to limit the use of potentially dangerous chemicals
and products, even where there is a lack of full scientific certainty.
CAP calls on the authorities namely the Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry
of Human Resources to take a serious view on the dangers of EDCs The following
measures should be taken to reduce EDCs:
| 1 |
The Chemicals Act which has been proposed by the
Department of Environmen for years now must be expedited. This
is necessary in view of the fact that there is currently no
comprehensive law to deal with industrial chemicals and consumer
products other than food, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, drugs,
cosmetics and occupational health and safety.This new law must
provide for protective measure against the adverse impacts of EDCs.
|
| 2 |
There should also be a review of existing legislation
to ensure that we not only take into account the element of cancer
risk of chemicals but also the trans-generational health effects,
the effects on hormones, as well as the immune and nervous systems.
|
| 3 |
The authorities should legally require industries
to provide information for inventories of toxic chemical releases
and toxic products. |
| 4 |
Establish an interagency-government Committee
on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and Environment
|
| 5 |
Undertake extensive research and comple data on
the hormonal effects of EDCs in the country. |
| 6 |
Consider the banning and phasing out of specific
categories of EDCs such as pesticides, styroforms, plastics and
PCBs and put in place suitable envioronmental alternatives. |
| 7 |
Carry out education campaigns to educate the public
on the dangers of EDCs.. |
| 8 |
Alternatives to the use of chemicals must be sought.
If there are methods that involve biological or safe traditional
methods this should be opted in favour of chemicals. |
In the interest of public safety, health as well as the protection of
the environment, we urge the relevant government agencies to act fast
before it is too late.
S.M. Mohamed Idris President.
This memorandum is largely based on the following books:
Colborn Theo, Daianne Damanoski and John Peterson Myers, Our Stolen Future
*E P Dutton 1996.
Cadbury, Deborah - The Feminization of Nature
* Our Stolen Future is based on a review of literally thousands of scientific
studies going back 60 years. The main idea in the book is that synthetic
(human created) chemicals may be interfearing with the hormones that control
and regulate growth,health and behavior in wildlife and humans, leading
to birth defects, problems of sexual development, breast cancer, prostate
cancer and even mental problems like attention deficit disorder, reduced
IQ and violent behavior .
| 1 |
OECD`s Work on Endocrine Disrupters - OECD Chemicals
Programme |
| 2 |
MAKNA`S War on Cancer - No. 2 killer after road
accidents. The Malay Mail. 30/5/98. |
| 3 |
Kanser Ancaman Kedua Terbesar - Utusan Malaysia
14/5/98. |
| 4 |
Faster Treatment for Cancer Patients - New Straits
Times 16/1/98. |
| 5 |
Statistics from the Ministry of Health through
a Fax dated 14/1/99. |
| 6 |
Lelaki Ramai Hidap Barah Kelenjar - Berita Minggu
14/6/98. |
| 7 |
The `Silent' Cancer - Sunday Mail 31/5/98. |
| 8 |
Tanda-Tanda Kanser Pangkal Hidung - Mingguan Malaysia
1997. |
| 9 |
More Cancer cases among rural young - Sun 16/10/97.
|
| 10 |
Early detection the best cure yet, advises Minister
- New Straits Times 27/6/97. |
| 11 |
Faster Treatment for Cancer Patients - New Straits
Times 16/1/98. |
| 12 |
Childhood Leukaemia can be cured - Sunday Star
2/7/95. |
| 13 |
Losing our Sperms - Shrinkage in sperm counts
worldwide linked to chemicals Utusan Konsumer - October 1998. |
| 14 |
Buletin Keluarga, May/June 1984, bulletin of the
National Family Planning Board. |
| 15 |
R. Harun , A.B. Ardi, Z Baharum, A.A. Idrus M.Y.
Ramli and N. Hassan Semen Profile of Patients Attending NPFDB Infertility
Clinic Malaysian Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol, 11. No1 June
1993. |
| 16 |
Kes-kes Lelaki Mandul Meningkat - Utusan Malaysia
6/2/98. |
| 17 |
Infertility on the rise among Malaysians - New
Straits Times 4/5/93. |
| 18 |
Ibid. |
| 19 |
Ibid. |
| 20 |
Hamid Arshat, Tey Nai Peng -An Overview of the
Population Dynamics in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Reproductive
Health 6(1) 23-46 1988. |
| 21 |
Plastic baby feeding bottles contain hazardous
chemicals Utusan Konsumer July 1998. |
| 22 |
Eating Toxic Chemicals from Plastics Utusan Konsumer
October 1996. |
| 23 |
SPEED` 98/ JEA - Strategic Programs on Envionmental
Endocrine Disruptors`98 Japan Environment Agency. |
| 24 |
List of Known & Suspected Endocrine Disruptors
and Carcinogen 182 Japan Offspring Fund, 2-5-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda,
Tokyo Japan. |
|
|
Japan
Offspring Fund(JOF) is a consumer group and environmental NGO established
in 1984. We have researched issues involving the safety of daily
life, including chemical residues, endocrine disruptors, and genetically
engineered food. 
