Low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses for endocrine active chemicals: science to practice workshop: workshop summary

Abstract

A workshop was held in Berlin September 12-14th 2012 to assess the state of the science of the data supporting low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses ("low dose hypothesis") for chemicals with endocrine activity (endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs). This workshop consisted of lectures to present the current state of the science of EDC action and also the risk assessment process. These lectures were followed by breakout sessions to integrate scientists from various backgrounds to discuss in an open and unbiased manner the data supporting the "low dose hypothesis". While no consensus was reached the robust discussions were helpful to inform both basic scientists and risk assessors on all the issues. There were a number of important ideas developed to help continue the discussion and improve communication over the next few years.

Keywords: ANSES; BPA; BfR; Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment; EAC; EDC; EFSA; EPA; Endocrine disruptors; European Food Safety Authority; FDA; French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety; GLP; Good Laboratory Practices; Low dose effects; NGO; NIEHS; NMDR; NMDRC; NOAEL; NTP; National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences; Non-monotonic dose responses; OECD; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Risk assessment; US Environmental Protection Agency; US Food and Drug Administration; US National Toxicology Program; bisphenol A; endocrine active compound; endocrine disrupting chemical; no observed adverse effect level; non-governmental organization; non-monotonic dose response; non-monotonic dose response curve.