Evaluating Endocrine Disruption Activity of Deposits on Firefighting Gear Using a  Sensitive and High Throughput Screening Method

Max Stevenson; Barbara Alexander; C Stuart Baxter; Yuet-Kin Leung

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000000577

Lifestyle and Environment · Environmental Exposures

Evaluating Endocrine Disruption Activity of Deposits on Firefighting Gear Using a Sensitive and High Throughput Screening Method

Stevenson M, Alexander B, Baxter CS, Leung YK

Published December 8, 2015 Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 57(12), e153-e157

DOI 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000577 PMID 26641839 PMC PMC4672464

Abstract

Objective

Adverse health outcomes related to exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, including increased incidences of coronary heart disease, prostate and testicular cancers, and congenital disabilities, have been reported in firefighters or their offspring. We, therefore, measured the estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity of extracts of used firefighter gear to assess exposure to these agents.

Methods

Extracts and known chemical contaminants were examined for estrogenicity and antiestrogenicity in yeast cells expressing the estrogen receptor.

Results

Most extracts of used gear and phthalate diesters detectable on this gear displayed strong antiestrogenic effects. Notably, new glove and hood extracts showed significant estrogenic activity.

Conclusions

Overall, our data suggest that firefighters are exposed to both estrogenic and antiestrogenic agents, possibly phthalates that may lead to health risks observed in this occupation as a result of perturbation of hormone homeostasis.

Topics

Lifestyle and Environment Environmental Exposures Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Lifestyle and Environment › Environmental Exposures › Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Max Stevenson, Barbara Alexander, C Stuart Baxter, Yuet-Kin Leung

M Stevenson, Barb Alexander, B Alexander, Y Leung

PMID 26641839 26641839 DOI 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000577 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000577 Stevenson et al. 2015, Stevenson 2015

Keywords

Endocrine Disruptors, Estrogen Antagonists, Estrogens

Evaluating Endocrine Disruption Activity of Deposits on Firefighting Gear Using a Sensitive and High Throughput Screening Method

Abstract

Topics

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Keywords