DDT and Estrogen: Can they affect reproductive health?

In 1980, after huge amounts of DDT and its analogs were spilled into Lake Apopka in Florida, it was found that the DDE resultant caused major reproductive problems for the alligators that survived the spill, because the ratio between the hormones estrogen and testosterone was imbalanced, and tipped greatly towards higher estrogen levels. Scientists believe that as a result, reproductive problems ensued for alligators, as well as birds, because DDE has been found to restrict the binding of male hormones to their receptor. In addition, the consequences become greater for those who receive the hormone from its mother as a fetus, which results in cancer for the creature as an adult. It is unclear, however, if this environmental estrogen wreaks similar havoc on human reproductive systems, although some research has been done to show that high levels of DDE exposure before puberty in girls causes puberty to be reached a full year earlier than normal, while boys are not affected similarly.
Unfamiliar terms:
DDE: a degradation product of DDT
Analog: compounds in which one or more original atom has been replaced, either with a different atom or a different functional group
Reaction:
This article more than anything reinforced the concept that we, as human beings, need to figure out exactly what effects our actions, such as using pesticides, have on the environment and in turn on ourselves. Not only will a lack of this awareness contribute to countless deaths for other living organisms, but it will probably cause the death and destruction for human life as well. Simply learning about the effects of DDT spills or oil spills after the fact does almost nothing, for the damage has already been done. Like global warming, it can’t be reversed, and careful, lessened uses of energy or oil can only delay the issue, not block it or reverse it.
References:
“analog” Wikipedia. Mar 12 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_(chemistry)
“DDE” Environmental Health Perspectives Online. Mar 12 2009. http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2007/10550/abstract.html

A Chemical Effect Close to Home

At this point, we all know some negative consequences of dumping destructive chemicals into the ground and water systems. There is now yet another negative effect described in section 10.21 'Can environmental estrogens affect health?" In 1980, DDT's negative effects were still not completely known, so it was still being dumped. Lake Apopka in Florida was one area that exhibited some of these consequences. The reproduction of alligators in the lake started to decrease dramatically as these hormone-like chemicals started to take effect. The few alligator hatchlings to survived had deformed reproductive organs as a result of contact with these chemicals. The chemicals had dramatically increased the ratio of natural estrogen to testosterone, and as a result these hatchlings had little chance of being able to reproduce themselves.

These changes were actually caused by the chemical DDE, which disables the binding of male hormones to their receptor. One of the most discouraging things about this chemical is that is does not directly effect the original mammal who ingests it. Rather, it effects the fetus of that mammal, posing a forboding threat to the continuation of a species. The same thing happened between 1948 and 1971 to the daughters of women who took DES to prevent miscarriage. These daughters were born sterile, and some of them developed a rare vaginal cancer. Another effect of environmental estrogens is the decrease in sperm count and increase in the rate of testicular cancer. Some scientists, however, disagree with the blaming of environmental estrogens.

It is frightening to think of the subtle ways these seemingly beneficial chemicals can have. It only goes to show that before chemicals of any kind are used and released into the atmosphere, there should first be extensive testing and hypothesizing about the possible effects those chemicals could cause.

Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York, 2006.

Have you checked your food's ingredients lately?

Each ingredient found in a food is shown on its label, starting with the most prevalent ingredient to the least prevalent one. Many foods contain additives that serve no purpose other than enriching the food’s appearance. These additives include color, bleaching,, and thickening agents as well as texture modifiers. (Antioxidants and preservatives not discussed in this article.) There are seven food colorings that have been approved and are being used by U.S. Manufacturers to enhance colors of the food to make the food appear more appetizing (and edible) to consumers. Thickening and texture modifiers serve the same purpose as color enhancing additives: to make the food look more suitable for eating. Flavor enhancers can also be used, including MSG, disodium inosinate, and disodium guanylate. By using these (and other) products, manufacturers are able to add more artificial ingredients and therefore less “real” ingredients. Artificial ingredients are usually cheaper than the “real thing.”

Many consumers are unaware of the additives used to enhance food’s appearance, texture, and flavor. Although all ingredients appear on the food’s label, consumers don’t think twice about looking at it. Although these ingredients are not harmful, not all of them may be healthy. MSG, for example, gives lots of consumers a headache after consumption. Many of the additives, especially the colors and bleaching agents, have been banned from use because of the carcinogenic affect it had on animals. There are several additives that have not been banned. The question ultimately is how do we know what long term effects those additives could have on the human body? The only positive effect of using these additives is when price per item is considered. These (cheaper) additives make the product more affordable for consumers, and they can therefore buy and consume more at a more affordable price for the family. However, by using these additives it also gives manufacturers the opportunity to make higher profit margins without always lowering the market price of the items. In my opinion, it might be more beneficial to pay more money for your food products. That way, you know your food contains more of the “real thing,” and your health can be guaranteed.

Baird, Colin. “Additives are used to enhance food’s appearance, texture, and flavor.” Chemistry In Your Life: Second Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. 2006. P. 385-6

Toxic Waste In Poor Neighborhoods

Summary:
Illegal dumping of hazardous waste and pollutants is not a new phenomenon by any means. An article written in 1996 from the New York Times describes the legal battles occurring at that time, which continue today. The State Department of Environmental Protection announced a policy in 1993 which says, “No segment of the population should bear a disproportionate share of the risks or consequences of environmental pollution or be denied access to environmental benefits, such as parks and forests, fishing and outdoor recreation." In order to address the issue, the department has created community advisory boards, increased fines for illegal dumping, among other creative ways to put a stop to the issue. However, as certain neighborhoods are being rid of deadly toxins and dumping sites, others neighborhoods are receiving the burden. The real solution, according to many, is to end pollution all together. One important solution, according to the State Department, is for those living in poor neighborhoods to report incidences in which they see illegal dumping occurring. Signs, posters, and community meetings urge residents to report all illegal action, in order to better penalize wrongdoers. Still, illegal dumping occurs in many U.S. cities and more legislation is necessary to end the issue altogether.
Reaction:
This article addresses the issue from the perspective of the communities and the residents living amongst toxic waste. According to the article, many times the attitude of residents is, “Someone else should clean it up because I didn’t dump it there.” While this is true, a combined effort of legal action and community support is necessary for success. This does not only apply to poor neighborhoods. All people, no matter where, should take their own action to help maintain a clean, healthy environment to live in. If we wait for others to pick up after us, we will get nowhere. Although this is not directly related to the topic of toxic waste sites, it is an important aspect to consider. However, those living in poverty should not be the victims of others’ wrongdoings. Therefore, those committing these crimes should be punished.
Tuhus, Melinda. "Battling Dumpsites In Poor Neighborhoods." The New York Times 30 June 1996. 5 Mar. 2009 .

When the Human Genome Project was completed and published in 2003, many saw it as a Rosetta Stone for so many other questions raised about the human genome. One of the subsequent research experiments concerning the human genome is discussed in the article entitled 'Ancient Hook-Ups, All Over the World' that was posted on the Newsweek site in May of 2008. It discusses a paper that has been published, explaining a radical new way to use genetic information to track the ancient migrations of humans across the globe.

Originally, scientists observed the Y-chromosome to complete their migration experiments. Now researchers have begun broaden their vision by observing parts of chromosomes across the whole of the human genome. One of the first things this new technique did was confirm that the entire human race is descended from a single group of people which migrated out of Africa. It also shows that no ancient people living in what is now Asia and Europe contributed to the modern gene pool.

It is fascinating to see what subsequent research has followed the completion of the Human Genome Project. It was an answer that raised many more questions, and this article discusses the further answers given by such intricate continuing research.

Begley, Sharon. 'Ancient Hook-Ups, All Over the World.' Newsweek: May 28, 2008.

Toxic Waste

This article was published in 1987. Old? Yes, but this also proves that little to no improvements have been made since the first the first study was released in 1987. A study conducted by the United Church of Christ’s Commission on Racial Justice revealed that in areas where there are a greater population of blacks and Hispanics are the ones with the most waste facilities. Most of the people in these two groups have a low education level and have a low income; this making them very vulnerable for bigger waste sites to be built. They become vulnerable when contractors offered jobs and other incentives. People of the area worry more about how they going to survive each day instead of the environment they live in. The value of the community a whole goes down as well. Properties are devalued and income is much lower compared to do other areas.
It is interesting to see that this article was published 22 years ago when probably the concern of toxic waste sites in communities first came up. Its 2009 and we still see articles making reference to this toxic sites as not only being a factor that makes property value go down but also families health are in danger with gases that are released by the garbage.

Williams, Lena. Race Bias Found in Location of Toxic Dumps. The New York Times. 16 April 1987
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html

Pheromones and the Nose

We live in an age where body scent is becoming more and more a determinant in choosing a sexual partner. However, there is still the question of why this is happening. It has long been a debate whether or not humans have a vomeronasal organ (VNO) or not. The VNO is located in the lower section of the nose. It receives the pheromones and sends a signal to the brain, stimulating sexual attraction. In the last few years scientists have discovered that humans do indeed give off pheromones. Scientists took sections of human skin and experimented on their scents. They put a special electrode inside the supposed spot for the VNO and they recorded spikes in neuron firing and a rise in hormone levels. Obviously, this means that humans do give off pheromones and they do have an effect on members of the same species. Another question involved in this process is how the VNO relays information to the brain. Scientists have found that animals have an accessory olfactory bulb that sends signals to the brain. As of right now they can't find this bulb in the human nose, but scientists believe that it may exist just in a different form. Researchers also believe that the cells in the VNO send signals to the hypothalamus which stimulates the pituitary gland in the release of hormones. These signals also change the activity of the neuroendrocrine system which regulates reproductive behavior. One of the other main questions is where do pheromones come from? Scientists have found that the answer may be our apocrine glands. What they have found is that humans have large concentrations of apocrine glands in their face and they only show up in the body after puberty. Another piece of evidence in support of the existence of human pheromones is that women who work or live in close proximity end up with synchronized menstrual cycles. The concensus for the cause of this phenomena are pheromones. It has also been proposed that our immune system has an effect on sexual attraction. Each human has their own specific major histocompatibility complex. The MHC codes for specific proteins that help fight off diseases and infections. Studies have shown that women choose men with an MHC completely different from their own. These same women also say that men with a similar MHC have a scent that reminds them of a relative. Another study on women showed that women who were taking birth control preferred the smell of a man with a similar MHC. One explanation for this is that birth controls trick a woman's body into thinking that they are pregnant and pregnant women have been known to prefer smells that remind them of home and loved ones. All of these studies show that we have only scratched the surface of human pheromone research.

Terms:
Olfactory bulb- the enlarged terminal part of each olfactory lobe from which the olfactory nerve originates.
Septum- a dividing wall, membrane, or the like, in a plant or animal structure; dissepiment.
Hypothalamus- a region of the brain, between the thalamus and the midbrain, that functions as the main control center for the autonomic nervous system by regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc., and that acts as an endocrine gland by producing hormones, including the releasing factors that control the hormonal secretions of the pituitary gland.

This report is simialr to one I found earlier, but it just goes to show that this information is accurate and widely accepted. We still have so much to learn and I could spend hours talking about it in my presentation, but I'm sure that just scratching the surface provides information that is just fascinating. There are some out there who still refute all of this evidence and claim that humans in fact do not produce pheromones and even if they did, they would have no effect on our sexual attraction. I guess they find that a little to barbaric and animal-like. However, with all the information and phenomena pouring in every day, it's getting harder to believe that this is all just a mistake. It's something we will continue to research and I'm sure new information will surface over the next ten years.