Endocrine Disruptors: An Evolving Health Concern in International Organizations

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds believed to mimic hormones in animal and human bodies and which are thought therefore to be a potential threat to health. Agencies including the European Commission, the International Labour Office (ILO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) each had some responsibility for chemicals in the wider environment over the last five decades. Despite this, the issue of how far the use of EDCs represents a threat to public health remains contested and policy remains uncertain. This article aims to examine the response of IHOs to the growing perception that EDCs can have negative health impacts by disentangling the various agendas and actors involved.