Do cattle growth hormones pose an environmental risk ?

What might some bodybuilders, U.S. beef cattle, and wild fathead minnows from Nebraska have in common? They may be taking anabolic steroids. Preliminary data indicate that wild minnows may be affected by masculinizing hormones from cattle feedlot effluents. The new data add to a growing concern about the effects of chronic exposure to pharmaceuticids and other bioactive compounds now being found in the environment. Previous U.S. Food and Drog Administration (FDA) environmental assessments have focused on the acute toxic effects of synthetic hormones given to livestock. New compounds and requests for expanded uses of approved compounds may require additional chronic exposure and degradation studies, according to an agency spokesperson. Results from the first national survey of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other bloactive compounds in U.S. streams were published in the March 15 issue of ES&T (1). Anabolic steruids were not included, but they will be addressed in the future by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researchers.