Endocrine Disruption Service

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are compounds which can alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system and cause developmental and reproductive effects in humans and animals. As both the exposed individual and its offspring. can be affected by endocrine disruption there are concerns about the longer-term impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals for populations and ecosystems. 

A diverse array of organic chemicals have been identified to have endocrine disrupting effects, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, plasticizers, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, natural and synthetic estrogens as well as phyto- and mycoestrogens. Many of these compounds can alter activity of the endocrine system at orders of magnitude below concentrations previously thought to be harmful to humans and animals, which poses a major challenge for the chemical industry.

Recent updates to the EU regulations for biocide products (2017/2100) and plant protection products (2018/605) now require products to be labelled as endocrine disruptors, if they have a demonstrated adverse effect in an individual or its offspring which is a consequence of an endocrine mode of action.  In response to this the OECD have recently published a conceptual framework for endocrine disruptors that includes guidelines for measuring the effects of suspected endocrine disruptors on morphology, sexual development and reproduction.  These guidelines identify biological markers that can be used to identify an endocrine mode of action.

• Fish physiology and reproduction
• Endocrine disrupting chemicals
• Combination effects of simple and complex mixtures of environmental stressors
• Aquatic Ecotoxicology

To complement the new E-Flows mesocosm ground breaking facility on site at Sand Hutton, Fera have also invested in the very latest aquatic testing laboratory equipment. This new facility consists of three testing laboratories and four water treatment/plant rooms, providing our experienced scientists with the space and latest instrumentation to deliver a premium analytical service for method validation and routine analysis required in support of compounds regulatory re-submissions or registrations.

Test GuidelineDescription