Given the challenges of associating exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and human health and the fact that a good understanding of this very complex issue requires an inter-disciplinary approach - what resources are available for clinical researchers and those currently doing population health to include analyses that would help accumulate new knowledge in this area? As a young investigator in endocrinology/immunology and women's health, I just submitted a grant to include assessment of exposure and metabolism of some locally relevant, priority environmental toxins (BPA, phthalates and cadmium) to an already completed study which involved looking at ovarian hormone regulation in about 600 premenopausal women. The addition of these assays, which will also look at the effect of hormone and xenobiotic metabolism, was technically easy - but it is both expensive and not something that would come naturally to a person not very familiar or in tune to this issue. I would think that raising both awareness and opportunities to include the endocrine disruptor angle to current population/observational studies would help increase the amount of information accrued more rapidly than the pace at which we are currently moving. Are there any initiatives in place currently regarding this matter?

Please comment on effects of contraceptive drugs, both on adult and developmental impact.

how much of a factor do the chemicals in the pollution of the air, water and food chain play a factor in human hormone development, and as poorer people tend to live closer to pollution sources, how does ethnicity enter into this discussion. Is there any science on this topic?

Any information of how nutritional status during development interacts with chemical effects?

That is a very good point - there have been a number of studies that have shown that bioaccumulation of many of these endocrine disruptors (especially fat soluble ones such as BPA) are positively correlated with BMI. So, there may be a compounding and circular effect of endocrine disrutpion and the diseases and chronic conditions - including reproductive disorders and cancer - that are associated with obesity.
1 child beneath this comment. 

What's the ideal estradiol level (range) you want to see in humans during folliculogenesis?

How do we share this information with non-science women (and men) without scaring them into non-action? How can we share the science in ways that empower women to avoid the chemicals that have been shown to impact health? Are there resources for lay-people that can be used to share with the general public in addition to the tri-fold and lay report?

High levels of hormones obviously can have potential adverse effects but given that environmental hormone levels or natural flavonoids appear to be at levels 1000 to 100,000 times lower than levels that have effect in the human body, are there any clear links between known environmental levels and known adverse effects in humans? Or in short are levels seen in the environment responsible for effects in humans. Were activin levels discussed that had effects on follicle production at environmental concentrations or much higher?

I have worked for over 10 years with the former farmworkers who worked on the fields on Lake Apopka. We have been trying for over 10 years to get some attention to the health effects being experienced by this community. How can we get some help for these people who are largely invisible?

1. New research is coming out very quickly regarding endocrine disruptors. When is the next summit/conference planned? 2.What needs to be done to alert physicians?

Are there any studies regarding effects of estradiol and zeranol (the synthetic version) consumed by the mother on fetal developmental and later on fertility?

2 comments: 1) Could CHE web perhaps serve as a matchmaker.com for communities and researchers to find one another 2) Especially for NIEHS--Science can be done not only to prove a problem, but also to prove solutions, thereby also illuminating the problem, as well as possible answers for those already afflicted. In my EJ work I have come across various communities who say "we have been studied to death" we don't need more studies we need some action (not only regulatory ones), especially medical and other interventions to help those alredy ill. Marian Feinberg