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.

The term “endocrine disruptor” was coined at the history 1991 meeting known as “Wingspread.” Read the consensus statement here.

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

Webinar: Fluoride, neurodevelopment, and cognition: a National Toxicology Program monograph
by Sarah Howard on November 19, 2024 at 5:00 pm
This Dec. 3 webinar features Dr. Kyla Taylor of NIEHS who will discuss the results of a National Toxicology Program monograph review that concluded there is "moderate confidence" in the scientific evidence that showed an association between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children.
Webinar: Behind the scenes at EPA
by Sarah Howard on November 19, 2024 at 3:56 pm
This Dec. 9 webinar, Behind the scenes at EPA: what's gone wrong and what does it mean for our work? is part 2 of a series on the future of EPA decision-making. Sponsored by the Collaborative for Health and Environment (CHE), Earthjustice, and UCSF's Earth Center. Register here.
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.

EHN EHN

NIEHS publishes new strategic plan
by Sarah Howard on November 19, 2024 at 6:03 pm
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) published a 2025-2029 strategic plan, "Health at the Intersection of People and Their Environments."
Pesticide use linked to increased prostate cancer risk
by EHN Curators on November 18, 2024 at 11:22 am
A study finds 22 pesticides associated with prostate cancer risk in the U.S., with four also tied to higher death rates. Andrea Tamayo reports for Science News.
PFAS levels increase throughout pregnancy, study finds
by Katherine McMahon,Sarah Howard on November 15, 2024 at 9:32 pm
A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives examines trends in PFAS exposure in pregnant Black women and their newborns in Atlanta. “Investigating the changes in PFAS exposure levels throughout pregnancy… is crucial for identifying critical exposure periods and guiding public health policies to reduce PFAS exposure.”

EHN EHN

Kennedy’s fluoride policy faces obstacles
by EHN Curators on November 19, 2024 at 8:28 pm
President-elect Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services won’t give him direct control over water fluoridation policies, though his influence could sway public and local debates. Miranda Willson reports for E&E News.
Scientists' Declaration for the Global Plastics Treaty
by Sarah Howard on November 19, 2024 at 5:54 pm
The signatories of this declaration are independent scientists with expertise on plastics, and who are free of conflicts of interest associated with the life cycle of plastics. Read it here and sign it here. Due Nov. 22, 2024.
Position Paper: Seven priorities to protect people and environment from endocrine-disrupting chemicals
by Sarah Howard on November 19, 2024 at 5:28 pm
In a new statement, the EDC-Free Europe coalition outlines key actions needed to ensure the EU regulatory framework reflects the latest science and tackles the urgent need to reduce—and ultimately eliminate—EDC exposure.