History of the EDC Field

The field of research on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has an interesting history. Below you will find information on significant pieces of that history, including eminent researchers, important publications, and collaborative efforts.

Slides and Interviews

For a brief summary, see Jerry Heindel’s slides on the History of the EDC Field.

Listen to Pete Myers discuss the history of the EDC field on the Science History Podcast, episode 34, The Chemical Age.

Articles on the History of EDC Field

Minireview: Endocrine Disruptors: Past Lessons and Future Directions
Schug TT, Johnson AF, Birnbaum LS, et al. Mol Endocrinol. 2016;30(8):833-847. doi:10.1210/me.2016-1096

Update on Activities in Endocrine Disruptor Research and Policy
Zoeller RT, Doan L, Demeneix B, Gore AC, Nadal A, Tan S. Endocrinology. 2019;160(7):1681-1683. doi:10.1210/en.2019-00166

An Interview With Dr. Ana Soto on 25 Years of Research on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
Mol Endocrinol. 2016;30(8):829-832. doi:10.1210/me.2016-1044

History of the Obesogen Field: Looking Back to Look Forward
Heindel JJ. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019;10:14. Published 2019 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00014

Profiles of Researchers

Andrea Gore: neuroendocrinologist and environmental activist.
Mitchell F. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2020;8(8):671. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30241-2

A Valuable Reputation: After Tyrone Hayes said that a chemical was harmful, its maker pursued him.
By Rachel Aviv. The New Yorker, Feb. 10, 2014.

Twenty-Five Years of Endocrine Disruption Science: Remembering Theo Colborn
Kwiatkowski CF, Bolden AL, Liroff RA, Rochester JR, Vandenbergh JG. Environ Health Perspect. 2016;124(9):A151-A154. doi:10.1289/EHP746

In Memorium, Howard A. Bern

UC Professor, Howard Bern, Pioneer in Endocrinology, Dies

In memory of Professor Howard A. Bern.
Grau EG, Nishioka RS, Bern A, et al. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2012;176(2):121-123. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.02.004

In memory of Professor Louis J. Guillette, Jr.
Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2016;238:1-3. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.02.014

Frontline Interview with Lou Guillette Jr.

Obituary: Jean-Pierre Bourguignon

Larry L. Needham 1945–2010
Vol. 119, No. 1 Perspectives, Environmental Health Perspectives.

In Memoriam: Herbert L. Needleman
Linda S. Birnbaum, William A. Suk, and Philip J. Landrigan, Vol. 125, No. 9
Environmental Health Perspectives.

EHN EHN

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: hazards and opportunities (ECHO) course
by Sarah Howard on October 31, 2024 at 2:50 pm
This course focuses on the chemical, biological, and societal challenges of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and new opportunities for moving forward. ECHO is a two-week intensive bootcamp-style career development course for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professionals in the field. It is held at Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Lou Guillette Jr. Memorial Symposium
by Sarah Howard on October 22, 2024 at 1:30 pm
On March 14-15, 2025, HEEDS is hosting the Lou Guillette Jr. Memorial Symposium on endocrine disrupting science at the University of Florida. It will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Guillette, gather together his trainees and colleagues, and focus on the research topics that Lou made famous. Information here.
Webinar: The overturning of Chevron deference: impacts on environmental health decision making
by Sarah Howard on October 17, 2024 at 4:21 pm
In this Nov. 13 webinar, legal experts will discuss the implications of the overturning of Chevron deference and its profound impact on science, public health and decision-making. Sponsored by CHE and UCSF's EaRTH Center.

EHN EHN

Ultra-processed foods and plastic packaging make for the ultimate toxic pair, scientists say
by Katherine McMahon,Sarah Howard on October 25, 2024 at 10:37 am
A recent paper published in Globalization and Health explores the relationship between ultra-processed foods (UPFs), plastic packaging, and their combined threat to public health. “Consumers do not have the power to solve a problem of this scale, and thus it is the responsibility of policymakers to ensure that transitions away from unhealthy, unsustainable foods are accompanied by structural measures that support demand and access to healthy foods.”
Microplastic exposure linked to reduced sperm quality in humans
by Katherine McMahon,Sarah Howard on October 23, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Exposure to microplastics is associated with a decrease in sperm concentration, motility, and shape, according to a new study published in The Lancet. “The identification of non-stick pan coating material PTFE as a particularly hazardous microplastic for male fertility underscores the importance of targeted interventions to reduce exposure to this and similar substances.”
Exposure to PFAS in ski wax may be linked to high cholesterol
by Katherine McMahon,Sarah Howard on October 16, 2024 at 7:42 pm
According to a new study published in Environmental Research, skiers and snowboarders may face health risks from their exposure to PFAS via ski wax, which can contain up to 100% PFAS by mass. “Interventions to remove PFAS from fluorinated wax could decrease direct exposure to skiers and reduce PFAS release into the environment.”

EHN EHN

Stricter toxic chemical rules reduce Californians’ exposures
by Kristina Marusic on October 31, 2024 at 11:25 am
Californians have lower levels of toxic chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm in their bodies than people in the rest of the country, according to a new study. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives and conducted by researchers at Silent Spring Institute, a nonprofit scientific research organization, and the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley), looked at nationwide data on the levels of 37 toxic chemicals in people’s blood before and after California introduced its stringent regulations. It found that for 18 of these chemicals, Californians have lower levels in their bodies than the rest of the country.
EPA dismissed data on the neurotoxicity of common insecticides
by Katherine McMahon,Sarah Howard on October 30, 2024 at 5:56 pm
A recent paper in Frontiers in Toxicology examined research submitted by industry to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the neurotoxicity of neonicotinoids - the most widely used class of insecticides in the U.S. and worldwide - and found that the data was evaluated improperly by the agency. Why this matters: Neonicotinoids are widely used not only for commercial agriculture but also for more personal uses like home gardens and in some flea and tick treatments for pets. Humans are regularly exposed to neonicotinoids – which are structurally similar to nicotine – through the environment, food and water. Neonicotinoids’ popularity partly comes from the belief that their harmful effects are mostly limited to insects, but studies like this one demonstrate that mammals may also be harmed by the chemicals, and highlight the urgent need for stronger regulations around their use.
Pesticide regulations ignore critical threats to insect health and ecosystems
by EHN Curators on October 30, 2024 at 10:26 am
In a study revealing regulatory gaps, researchers found that pesticides impact insect behavior and survival at non-lethal doses, especially in warmer temperatures, calling into question the effectiveness of current pesticide safety protocols. Dave Goulson writes for The Conversation.