Newswise — Only a few days remain to register for the Endocrine Society’s media event exploring the latest science on the dangers of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

The event follows the publication of a Newsweek magazine article examining the European Union’s groundbreaking efforts to regulate endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

At “The Real Risks of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: What Does the Science Say,” health and science journalists will have the opportunity to interact with international experts who study the health effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The Endocrine Society’s Science Writers Conference will take place in Brussels on November 12.

Nearly every person on the planet has been exposed to EDCs, and studies have linked EDC exposure to infertility, cancer, birth defects and obesity. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals mimic, block or interfere with the functions of the body’s natural hormones – the chemical messengers that govern how the body functions. EDCs include chemicals such as:• Bisphenol A found in water bottles and can linings• Phthalates found in plastics and cosmetics• Pesticides such as chlorpyrifos

The conference is exclusively for journalists and will feature a panel of leading physicians and endocrinology researchers. The conference will explore the intricate connection between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and human health, including the following topics (subject to change):

• EDCs and Public Health: Why Should the World Take Notice? • From Exposure to Hormone Disruption: General Principles of Endocrinology • Assessing Chemicals for Endocrine Disruption • EDCs and the Developing FetusScheduled speakers include:• Rémy Slama, PhDSenior Investigator at Inserm (National Institute for Health and Medical Research),Team of Environmental Epidemiology, Grenoble (France)

• Jean-Pierre Bourguignon MD, PhDProfessor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology, CHU Liège Head Developmental Neuroendocrinology Unit, GIGA Neurosciences, Univ. Liège (Belgium)

• Prof. Barbara Demeneix, PhDDirector Department Regulations and Development,National Museum of Natural History, Paris (France)

• Prof. Richard Ivell, PhDSpecial Joint Professor, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham (U.K.)

• R. Thomas Zoeller, PhDProfessor of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (USA)

Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2014 09h00 — Media Registration & Continental Breakfast 09h30 – 11h30 — Conference Program

Location: Résidence Palace - International Press Centrerue de la Loi 155 C - 1040 Brussels

Media are invited to attend this event at no cost, although seating is limited. Breakfast will be provided by the Society. Register online at http://www.endocrine.org/endosociety/news-room/science-writers-conference/science-writers-conference-registration.

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Founded in 1916, the Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, the Endocrine Society’s membership consists of over 17,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Washington, DC. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EndoMedia.