International approaches to hazard assessment and classification of endocrine disruptors

Abstract

Introduction. The problems of the impact of endocrine disruptors on human health and the environment are of serious concern today at the international, regional and national levels. Although the first mention about an ability of a substance to harm the endocrine system back in the 60 th of the XX century, the issues of substantiating the criteria for classifying it as endocrine disruptors, identifying potential disruptors of the endocrine system, assessing and classifying their danger to health and the environment with the purpose of further regulation. The aim of the study. To study of world experience in classifying chemical compounds as endocrine disruptors; creating a list of chemicals circulating on the territory of the Russian Federation that can potentially affect the endocrine system; selection of criteria for their classification according to the degree of hazard. The material for the analysis was literature sources from the bibliographic databases Web of Science, MedLine, EMBASE, Global Health, PubMed, Scopus, RSCI. The documents of international organizations, the European Union, the USA, Canada, Japan, India and other states on the hazard assessment, classification and regulation of endocrine disruptors have been studied and analyzed. Considering international experience, the criteria for classifying chemical compounds as endocrine disruptors have been substantiated, including three main components: an adverse effect on the body, an endocrine mechanism of action, and a biological relationship between endocrine activity and an adverse effect. A comparative analysis of the hazard classifications of endocrine disruptors developed by the EU and India showed to be based on the principles of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Hazards of Chemicals and Mixtures. Considering the limited scientific knowledge about substances capable of destroying the endocrine system, it is advisable to introduce class 3 for substances with limited data obtained in “in vitro” experiments in invertebrates tests. Conclusion. International approaches to the selection, assessment and classification of chemicals that have a potential impact on the endocrine system will allow for the first time in the Russian Federation to form a national list of endocrine disruptors, to identify substances that are the priority in terms of hazard and degree of risk for making relevant management decisions.