Research on Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disrupting chemicals can interfere with the normal functions of the endocrine system and lead to problems with reproduction (i.e. egg and sperm production) and development (i.e. healthy fetal growth) in both humans and wildlife. EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program is charged with prioritizing and testing chemicals for potential endocrine disruption. EPA researchers develop and use innovative chemical screening technologies and other advanced scientific methods to help evaluate these chemicals for potential endocrine disruption.
On this page:
Endocrine Disruption: Human Health Research
EPA is conducting research to better understand real-life impacts of exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Scientists are studying reproductive, neurological development and other potential effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals.
- Reproductive Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
- Effects on Neurological Development by Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Contributions to the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program
EPA researchers are developing innovative methods to test and prioritize chemicals for potential endocrine disruption, learn more about them here:
- Prioritizing Chemicals for Potential Endocrine Disruption
- In-Depth Testing for Potential Endocrine Disruption
Results from these methods are used by EPA’s Endocrine Disruption Screening Program to make better informed decisions about chemical safety. EPA's Endocrine Disruption Screening Program uses a two-tiered testing approach:
- Tier 1 screens chemicals that have the potential to interact with the endocrine system.
- Tier 2 conducts more in-depth tests of select chemicals flagged in Tier 1 to determine the endocrine-related effects caused by each chemical at different levels of exposure.