Today, we are surrounded by a multitude of different chemicals that are
essential components of our everyday life. As a consequence, there are various
hazardous substances like dioxins, phthalates and flame-retardants circulating
in the environment. These have an impact on ecosystems, wildlife and possibly
human health. In recent years, the phenomenon called endocrine disruption has
raised considerable concern. This book discusses the scientific basis of this
issue using epidemiological and experimental in vitro and in vivo data about
chemicals targeting the hormonal systems. It also provides an up-to-date review
of international initiatives (including high-throughput screening, use of model
organisms and in silico applications) aiming to screen, detect and