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,” which resulted in the Wingspread Consensus Statement.
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
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.