Endocrine disruptors - what are they and why is there so much interest?

Endocrine disrupters are environmental or dietary compounds that alter the functions of the endocrine system. Typically they affect the reproductive systems, often causing ferminisation in amphibia, fish and rodents. However, they can also modulate the immune system, the thyroid and brain development. It is still not clear whether endocrine disruption can affect human populations; it is probable that sub-sets of individuals may be more susceptible while there are thought to be critical stages in human development when dysregulation of steroid levels is more likely to lead to long-term effects.