News | EURION Alliance Releases Policy Brief to Advance New Standards for Endocrine Disruptor Testing
The European research cluster EURION released a policy brief proposing new recommendations for testing and screening endocrine disruptors (EDs), aiming to address inadequate sensitivity in current methods and delays in regulation. The brief may serve as an important reference for future European and global ED testing and control standards.
Endocrine disruptors are generally synthetic chemicals found widely in pesticides, food contaminants, personal care products, and other goods. They may enter the body through food, air, dust, water, and skin contact. Research has linked EDs to disorders of the reproductive, thyroid, metabolic, and immune systems, including obesity, diabetes, delayed neurodevelopment, and impaired fertility. However, a longstanding lack of systematic research into these hazards has made relevant legislation and public-health protections difficult to implement.
Established in 2019 and funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program with more than €50 million, EURION brings together over 70 research teams and is the largest ED research alliance to date. It focuses on developing detection and assessment methods that address the limitations of conventional tests in identifying metabolic, neurological, thyroid, and reproductive endocrine disruption.
EU regulations currently require ED assessment only for pesticides and certain antimicrobial agents, but revised legislation will soon extend to thousands of industrial chemicals. Existing testing systems urgently need upgrading to meet regulatory needs. EURION is advancing highly sensitive screening technologies to identify new chemicals and their potential health risks early.
The policy brief notes that endocrine disruptors concern not only environmental pollution but also public health. EURION’s eight research projects will jointly promote internationally harmonized ED testing strategies and guidelines, provide governments with scientific evidence, and strengthen prevention of risks including obesity, diabetes, delayed neurodevelopment, and impaired fertility.
News | EURION Alliance Releases Policy Brief to Advance New Standards for Endocrine Disruptor Testing
News | EURION Alliance Releases Policy Brief to Advance New Standards for Endocrine Disruptor Testing
The European research cluster EURION released a policy brief proposing new recommendations for testing and screening endocrine disruptors (EDs), aiming to address inadequate sensitivity in current methods and delays in regulation. The brief may serve as an important reference for future European and global ED testing and control standards.
Endocrine disruptors are generally synthetic chemicals found widely in pesticides, food contaminants, personal care products, and other goods. They may enter the body through food, air, dust, water, and skin contact. Research has linked EDs to disorders of the reproductive, thyroid, metabolic, and immune systems, including obesity, diabetes, delayed neurodevelopment, and impaired fertility. However, a longstanding lack of systematic research into these hazards has made relevant legislation and public-health protections difficult to implement.
Established in 2019 and funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program with more than €50 million, EURION brings together over 70 research teams and is the largest ED research alliance to date. It focuses on developing detection and assessment methods that address the limitations of conventional tests in identifying metabolic, neurological, thyroid, and reproductive endocrine disruption.
EU regulations currently require ED assessment only for pesticides and certain antimicrobial agents, but revised legislation will soon extend to thousands of industrial chemicals. Existing testing systems urgently need upgrading to meet regulatory needs. EURION is advancing highly sensitive screening technologies to identify new chemicals and their potential health risks early.
The policy brief notes that endocrine disruptors concern not only environmental pollution but also public health. EURION’s eight research projects will jointly promote internationally harmonized ED testing strategies and guidelines, provide governments with scientific evidence, and strengthen prevention of risks including obesity, diabetes, delayed neurodevelopment, and impaired fertility.
Source:
Collected online