Something to Worry About

In developed countries around the world some alarming things have been occurring.

•more baby boys being born with genital malformations
•men having a lower sperm count than their grandfathers
•early onset of puberty in girls
•more children with endocrine disorders
•more obesity
•increases in breast, prostrate, testicular, and thyroid cancers
•increases in neurological disorders such as ADHD
•increases in women reproductive diseases such as fibroids, endometriosis and polycystic
ovarian syndrome
•increases in infertility

Some scientists believe they have found an answer and a link: estrogen. All of these problems
listed above can be caused by the female hormone, estrogen. Estrogen is an endocrine disruptor
and has various effects on thyroid regulation and reproduction. Estrogen and estrogen-like
(xenoestrogen) compounds enter rivers, streams and reservoirs from many sources and it is not
filtered out by water treatment facilities. Of the 139 U.S. Rivers, nearly 80% are contaminated
with trace estrogen compounds. (http://voices.yahoo.com/estrogen-levels-water-alarm-scientists-
4678515.html)

The evidence of estrogen in the water supply is indisputable. All over the world scientists have
found intersex fish-- fish with both male and female reproductive characteristics. According
to Kristen A. Kellock and Robert B. Bringolf, researchers for the University of Georgia, "The
intersex condition has often been associated with a hormonally active component of municipal
wastewater effluent discharge and has been induced in laboratory studies where fish were
exposed to natural and synthetic hormones, which are routinely measured in treated municipal
wastewater effluent."

In plain language estrogen and xeno-estrogen are in the water supply. It is affecting the fish
which swim in the water and humans and animals who drink the water. Reproductive problems
are being found in animals and humans around the world because of this phenomenon.

The sources of estrogen in the environment are:

•Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and DDT: pesticides
•Estrogen: found in birth control pills
•Bisphenol-A (BPA): plastics

Given that estrogen given to women prevents pregnancy, it is natural to conclude that estrogen
in food and water would cause infertility problems and reproductive cancers in both males and
females. Since estrogen is the female hormone it is not surprising that this would cause early
puberty for girls. The fact the estrogen is an endocrine blocker explains thyroid problems and
obesity. What about ADHD?

Dr. Leonard Sax, author of Boys Adrift and Why Gender Matters explains:

In 2004, neuroscientists identified a crucial link between endocrine disruptors and ADHD. When
young laboratory animals were exposed to tiny doses of endocrine disruptors -- including BPA
and various phthalates-- the scientists found that the endocrine disruptors appear to damage a
brain system built around a substance known as PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating
polypeptide). These laboratory animals were quite literally, hyper. They just couldn't slow down.
(Sax, Leonard. Boys Adrift. New York: Basic Books, 2007 pg. 107)

Another side effect in boys that Dr. Sax writes about is an increase in laziness and impaired
motivation. He states:

In boys, testosterone fuels more than just sexual interest: it fuels the drive to achieve, to be the
best, to compete...competitive girls do not rely on hormones for their drive...The sex difference
may be one reason why the flood of estrogenic chemicals in which today's children are immersed
has not impaired the drive or motivation of girls. But the boys, increasingly are lazy. (Sax,
Leonard. Boys Adrift. New York: Basic Books, 2007 pg. 107-108)

This is a very complicated problem. If one does a web search for "estrogen in the water supply"
a variety of news articles and research papers come up. No one argues that estrogen and
xenoestrogens have contaminated water all over the world. That is known. Feminist groups
argue that birth control is not the problem. Other groups warn people to stop using birth control,
only eat organic foods, don't drink bottled water, only drink bottled water, don't allow babies to
suck plastic pacifiers, don't use plastic bottles, limit the amount of plastic in your home, don't
microwave in plastic.

I do not have an answer. Personally, I believe that birth control is a part of the problem. But,
organic foods are costly and the cost of food has risen dramatically with the cost of fuel. Many
families cannot afford to eat organic foods. Much of the food we buy comes in plastic containers.
Most children and baby products are made from plastics. Some women need birth control for
real medical reasons. Bottled water may or may not have as much estrogen as city water, but
it is bottled in plastic. I think it is good for families to know about this problem so that they
can decide what is best for them. Certainly, the side effects of estrogen in the water supply are
immense.