Exam II Flashcards
What are endocrine distupting chemicals?
EDC’s: found in food, environment, and consumer products that interfere with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism, or action resulting in a deviation from normal homeostatic control or reproduction.
What are xenoestrogens?
Estrogen mimickers
What is an example of where dioxins are found?
Agent orange
How do dioxins breakdown? How have they affected the environment?
Slowly. Although they were banned in the US in 1977, there are still pollutants from the dioxins in the environment because of their slow breakdown.
Where do dioxins accumulate?
Mainly in the fatty tissue of animals
How are humans exposed to dioxins and PCB’s?
90% of exposure is through food.
What are the half lives of dioxins and PCBs in the body?
Dioxins: 7-11 years
PCBs: 8-15 years
Why is a long-term strategy is probably most important for girls and young women?
To decrease exposure to developing fetus and when breastfeeding
How are humans mainly exposed to BPA?
Mainly canned foods, liquids stored or heating in plastic containers, and epoxy-lined cans
What is no longer used to prevent BPA exposure in children?
In US, no longer allowed to use BPA as of 2011 in bottles/sippy cups for babies/children
What kind of plastic should you avoid based on code?
Plastics with recycling code #7
What kind of plastic is known to not contain BPA without stating so?
Soft or cloudy plastic
When was DDT banned?
Banned in the US in 1972, worldwide in 2004
How long does DDT take to breakdown in the environment?
Can take >15 years
What is the current source of new DDT contamination in our Great Lakes?
Atmospheric deposition
What is the half life of DDT in humans?
8 years
What is the primary source of exposure to DDT in humans?
Eating contaminated fish and shellfish, imported food, crops grown in contaminated soil.
Infants can be exposed through breast milk
What is the second MC used pesticide in the US?
Atrazine
Where is atrazine most heavily applied?
In the midwest
How are humans exposed to Atrazine?
contaminated streams and groundwater
What is the MC used pesticide?
Roundup
T/F
Roundup is not a xenoestrogen
True
T/F
Roundup is not a xenoestrogen
True
What is diethylstillbesterol (DES)
A synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940-1971 to prevent miscarriage, premature labor, and related complications of pregnancy
What happened with DES in 1971?
The FDA notified physicians throughout the country that DES should not be prescribed to pregnant women. It was continually used in Europe until 1978
Women who took DES during pregnancy have an increased risk of what condition?
Breast cancer
What risks and problems were found in DES daughters?
Increased risks of clear cell adenocarcinoma (40x risk) of vagina and crevix
2x greater risk for breast cancer after age 40
Fertility problems more common
What were some problems with DES sons?
Increased risk of testicular abnormalities
What items did congress pass legislation banning 6 phthalates in?
Children’s toys and cosmetics
Where do phthalates accumulate in the body?
Accumulate in adipose tissue
If ingredients list don’t specifically mention phthalates, what should you look out for that is indicative of their presence?
“fragrance”
What recycling code should be avoided to stay away from phthalates?
Code #3
What are parabens?
Prevent the growth of microbes in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food products (anti-bacterial and anti-fungal)