New online database for identifying endocrine disruptors

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DEDuCT is based on an analysis of existing scientific literature. More than 16,000 articles have been reviewed. To begin with, 1,626 chemical agents were identified in the articles that met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Some agents were then ruled out, notably natural hormones, agents tested as a mixture and agents tested for therapeutic use. The research also ruled out the agents for which there only data from in vitro testing with rodents available. The final selection, based on 1,796 publications, identifies 686 endocrine disruptors.

The identified endocrine disruptors have been classed according to different criteria. Their effects may have been observed in vivo in human beings (Category I: 7 substances identified), in vivo in rodents and in vitro in experiments with human cells (Category II: 142 substances identified), solely on in vivo in rodents (Category III: 367 substances identified), or solely in vitro with human cells (Category IV: 170 substances identified).

Another purpose of the database is to identify effects on health. Seven general categories of effects of disruptors linked to the hormonal system were established: reproduction, development, metabolism, the hepatic system, immunology and neurology, as well as cancers relating to the hormonal system. For each of these categories, the database can be used to verify if specific effects have already been identified in the scientific literature regarding particular substances. For example, if the user searches for ‘ovarian cancer’, they will find four endocrine disruptors identified as being associated with this pathology.

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