The Northwestern, a daily newspaper published an online article raising concerns about increased levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment April 23, 2013. The article argues that the findings of feminized fish are likely associated with the presence of EDCs in the water. It mainly blames steroid hormones from farms but also points to soaps, plastics, industrial solvents, pesticides and herbicides as sources. So far, there has not been a systematic testing of waters for EDCs in Wisconsin, US. In Minnesota, US on the other hand 50 lakes were tested for EDCs in summer 2012. States lack funding to carry out extensive testing, but also guidance on how to safeguard surface waters is missing. The author points out that not all EDCs are hormones. EDCs may also act like hormones, or block them and have been associated with a variety of reproductive problems both in humans and in wildlife. A comprehensive surface monitoring program is needed to estimate the scale of the problem in the Northwest of the US.
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