No 'Safe' Levels for Chemical Hormones?

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/hsn/20010517/hl/no_safe_levels_for_chemical_hormones__1.html

            Chemicals that mimic male and female hormones may not be safe even at levels the government now labels safe. The chemicals are called endocrine disruptors, and studies show that some of these hormone-like substances may be harming the reproductive systems or the unborn in animals.  These chemicals, present in the environment, might act as a natural hormone, like estrogen or testosterone, or they might block the effect of that hormone.  Some doctors say at lower doses, below which the scientists have determined was a 'no effect' level, there still might be effects going on. Controversy surrounds environmental estrogens and testosterones. Changes in the size and weight of reproductive organs, like the uterus or the prostate, have been linked to the chemicals. These chemicals can last for years in the environment and may collect in the fat tissue of animals and humans. Studies have been taken and the report concludes that experts need to figure out at what levels these chemicals can be considered safe. Doctor Daniel Swartz says "If we are talking about very low levels of environmental estrogens causing fertility problems in animals, that strikes me as a problem. And even before all the evidence is in, that should force us to take some precautionary measures now." Researchers are seeing these effects at relatively low levels from chemicals that persist for a long time in the environment, and they are talking about plastics and insecticides, which contain these endocrine disruptors.

            The significance of this article is the chemicals in the environment are stating to take a toile on the human population. It is causing chemical reactions between nature and humans.

            My opinion is this article was ok. The problem can’t be that big of a problem or it would have an effect on al the people that live in the forest. Since we aren’t a transcendental society its not too much of a problem to us. We still get most of our materials from nature but they go through enough restrictions that they are safe.