BIOL 1055 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Endocrine Disruptor, Atrazine, Precautionary Principle
Document Summary
Chlorpyrifos: 1965, blocks an enzyme that is involved in messaging between nerve cells, used in agriculture and commercial settings ex: foggers, flea/tick collars. Cord blood cpf inversely correlated with birth weight. Endocrine disruptors: pesticides/substances that produce negative neurological, reproductive, digestive effects in the endocrine system ex: tributyltin, atrazine, pcbs, phthalates, bpa. Endocrine disrupting activity: mimicking a hormone, interfering with hormone receptor, changing amount of hormone secreted. Des: synthetic form of estrogen, famous endocrine disruptor, given to prevent miscarriage, increased chance of cervical cancer, ddt will bind with estrogen receptors. Atrazine: weed killer/herbicide, interferes with electron transport in photosynthesis, shouldn"t affect humans, corn is resistant, found in runoff water from fields, epa limit=3 ppb for drinking water, found in rainwater. Solomon review: temporality, strong association, doesn"t show reproductive change effect. When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.
