EDCs encompass a broad range of chemicals that can interfere with the normal functioning of metabolic, growth and reproductive hormones in humans and animals. Because EDC pollutants are resistant to natural degradation processes, they persist and accumulate in the environment at increasing levels through the food chain. East Asian coastal ecosystems are at risk due to EDC pollution from a wide variety of land-based sources, including domestic and industrial wastes and pesticides in agricultural runoff. In its 2001 symposium, held in Seoul, the UNU addressed the issue of industrially generated EDC pollution, but agrochemical sources of EDC pollution remain comparatively underestimated. Increased agricultural reliance on chemicals is introducing serious levels of EDCs to coastal and freshwater systems in the region, and the populations that depend on them.

In addition to Vietnamese leaders in EDC research, experts from Europe, Canada and the United States will present their most recent research on the subject. Researchers from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will present the status of coastal pollution in their respective countries - a monitoring effort that is part of the UNU Coastal Hydrosphere project. This monitoring project has been undertaken with support from Shimadzu Corporation of Kyoto, Japan. The symposium, which will be conducted in English, is open to the public; admission is free, although advance registration is required (please contact the address below). Media representatives are cordially invited to attend.

For more information, please contact: