In recent years, much attention has been focused on the potential for a wide range of xenobiotic chemicals to disrupt physiological functions of the endocrine systems of animal and human populations. The authors provide an overview of current positions on the subject and present the most important chemicals that have been implicated as endocrine disruptions. The ubiquity in the environment and associated exposure of human populations are described. The potential for joint toxic action and interaction of chemical mixtures is also discused. The role of wildlife population as sentinels of potential human health effects is presented. Potential mechanisms of action for endocrine disruptors are described, including the role of specific intracellular receptors and their interactions with endogenous and exogenous chemicals.

        Key words: health risks of xenobiotics - hormone disruptions - signal interrupter - mechanism of action - interaction of xenobiotics - biological monitoring