Abstract：Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that act like hormones in the endocrine system and disrupt the physiologic functions of endogenous hormones. They are sometimes also referred to as endocrine disruptors, or hormonally active agents. EDCs encompass a variety of chemical classes, including hormones, plant constituents, pesticides, compounds used in the plastics industry and in consumer products, and other industrial by-products and pollutants. With the industrial development, more and more EDCs are pervaded and widely dispersed in the environment, and the exposure to EDCs poses ever greater threat. Therefore, it becomes a top priority to reduce or avoid the increasing exposure of organisms or even human beings to EDCs. In the research field of environmental sciences, the establishment of a most convenient, efficient and effective screening method to detect chemicals with the potential to interfere with the endocrine hormone levels from pollutants is a hot project. This paper reviews the recent progress on rapid methods for detecting EDCs in the environment, and these mature rapid screening methods are grouped into four categories. Advantages and disadvantages in theory and practice of these methods are analyzed. The development prospects and strategy are also discussed.
2010, Vol. 28 
