Agrochemical Endocrine Toxicology Evaluations
Over the past decade, endocrine toxicology has become an increasingly important area as the increasing incidence of endocrine-related cancers and other endocrine disorders points strongly to environmental causes. Scientists have warned about the residues and accumulation of synthetic chemicals in the environment and food, as well as their disruption of human endocrine and especially reproductive functions, and have generated significant attention and extensive research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) worldwide. There is an evidence that some agrochemicals including several current-use pesticides are linked to endocrine disruption to some extent. Aiming to solve this issue, BOC Sciences regulates endocrine-disrupting chemicals in terms of hazard assessment (regulatory toxicology) and risk assessment.
Agrochemical Endocrine Toxicology Testing
- Our experts have designed a series of regulatory general toxicology protocols to detect endocrine toxicity of agrochemicals.
- At BOC Sciences, a combination of bioassay and chemical screening methods are available for a more comprehensive analysis of agrochemical contamination and the risks associated with long-term chronic exposure.
- We are also able to conduct either laboratory-based employing in vitro or in vivo bioassays to determine ED effects of agrochemicals to investigate environmental concentrations of pesticides.
Figure 1. Endocrine-disrupting effects. (Wang, X.; et al. 2021)
Agrochemical Endocrine Disruptors (ED) Testing
To date, 67 endocrine disruptors have been screened out of 86,000 commercial products and chemicals that pose a risk to humans and living things. These compounds vary greatly in nature, with 44 of them (including two metabolic intermediates) accounting for almost two-thirds of the agricultural compounds. Agrochemicals represent an important class of endocrine disrupting chemicals to which humans and animals around the world are frequently exposed. Endocrine disruptors are generally lipophilic, chemically stable, not easily degraded, volatile and have long residual periods. They can be enriched in vivo through bioconcentration and food chain amplification. After entering the organism, they have a long biological half-life and can accumulate in the organism for a long time, and are difficult to be biodegraded and are not easily excreted or even not excreted at all. BOC Sciences is a leading laboratory providing endocrine disruptor testing to fulfill global requirements.
Our Testing Process
- Mixture effects evaluation
- Chemical prioritization
- Hazard, exposure, and risk assessments
Figure 2. Structural similarities between endogenous hormones and agrochemicals. (Warner, G. R.; et al. 2019)
BOC Sciences Advantages
- Highly specialized technical and analytical services for the worldwide registration and regulatory compliance of agrochemicals
- Robust analytical testing programs that span from research and product development through the production process to final product
- Relies on broad industrial experience, ensuring that all of our work meets the high standards expected by our clients
- Our regulatory experts, toxicology consultants, scientists and inspectors will ensure that you receive maximum levels of guidance, testing and inspection you need.
References
- Wang, X.; et al. Integration of Computational Toxicology, Toxicogenomics Data Mining, and Omics Techniques to Unveil Toxicity Pathways. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2021. 9(11).
- Warner, G. R.; et al. Mechanisms of action of agrochemicals acting as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 2019. 502: 110680.