restricted to chelating agents for heavy-metal poisoning. However, health effects extend
to the numerous organic chemicals in our environment. This has been known for many
years. Environmental agents causing cancer were first brought to light by Sir Percival
Potts in 1775, when he astutely related the high incidence of scrotal cancer among
chimney sweeps to their chronic exposure to soot. Poisons in our environment continue
to be a problem. In recent years there has been a growing concern regarding the pres-
ence of endocrine disruptorsin the environment. These are synthetic chemicals that
mimic or inhibit hormonal actions, producing estrogen-like or antiandrogenic effects.
The resulting modified biochemical and endocrine responses may ultimately be a cause
for concern among the human population. Potential problems such as this, and others
that have yet to be recognized, may ultimately herald drug design for environmental
toxins as an important pursuit in the future of medicinal chemistry.
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