Front Matter

177

Other Compounds

Carbendazim Reproductive Unknown

Ethane dimethane

sulfonate

Reproductive Unknown

Perfluorooctane

sulfonate

Thyroid, reproductive Suppression of T3,T4;

mechanism unknown

Nonylphenol,

octylphenol

Estrogen Estrogen receptor agonists;

reduces estradiol binding to

the estrogen receptor

Resorcinol Thyroid Unknown

Styrene dimers and

trimers

Estrogen Estrogen receptor agonists

Metals

Arsenic Glucocorticoid Selective inhibition of DNA

transcription normally

stimulated by the

glucocorticoid‐GR complex

Cadmium Estrogenic Activates estrogen receptor

through an interaction with

the hormone‐binding domain

of the receptor

Lead Reproductive Unknown

Mercury Reproductive/ Thyroid Neurotoxic

BPA, bisphenol A; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT,
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; DEHP, di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate; LH, luteinizing
hormone; PBBs, polybrominated biphenyls; PBDEs, polybrominated diphenyl ethers; PCBs,
polychlorinated biphenyls; TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone.
BPA is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of
polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to
Human Reproduction completed a review of BPA in September 2008. The NTP expressed
“some concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and
children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.”
DEHP is a high production volume chemical used in the manufacture of a wide variety of
consumer food packaging, some children’s products, and some PVC medical devices. In
2006, the NTP found that DEHP may pose a risk to human development, especially critically
ill male infants.
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring substances in plants that have hormone‐like activity.
Examples of phytoestrogens are genistein and daidzein, which can be found in soy‐derived
products.
Source: Adapted from http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Basics/chemuses.htm.

Compound(s) Hormone Mechanism

Table 7.1 (Continued)

Autism and Exposure to Environmental Chemicals