Date

MERI has announced a workshop on coastal contaminats in the Atlantic.
The conference is to be held 22-25 June 2000 in Bar Harbor, Maine.
More information about the conference can be found at its website:

http://www.meriresearch.org/workshop.html

Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI)
Announces:

The Atlantic Coast Contaminants Workshop
"Endocrine Disruptors In The Marine Environment:
Impacts On Marine Wildlife And Human Health"
22-25 June 2000

Sponsored by The Marine Environmental Research Institute,
The University of Connecticut Department of Pathobiology
and The Jackson Laboratory.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Theo Colborn, Senior Scientist, World Wildlife Fund

FOCUS

The purpose of the Atlantic Coast Contaminants Workshop is to provide a
regional forum for researchers working in the fields of ecotoxicology,
immunotoxicology, endocrinology, pathobiology, environmental chemistry,
clinical and veterinary medicine, epidemiology, public health, and related
fields. Participants will

(1) review current perspectives on endocrine disruption
(2) examine current evidence of the presence of endocrine disruptors in
the marine ecosystems and their potential impacts in marine
wildlife and humans
(3) share newly developed methods and approaches to ecotoxicological
research
(4) identify research needs and new directions in the field.

The workshop's focus is a result of growing concerns expressed throughout
the world scientific and regulatory communities about the potential for
certain environmental chemicals with estrogenic or dioxin-like activity to
cause endocrine disruption, which may lead to reproductive problems, immune
impairment, neurotoxocity, and other toxicities related to sexual
differentiation, growth and development in wildlife and humans.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the workshop are:
* To review new evidence and recent findings from scientific research and
monitoring programs focusing on:
- sources, levels (spatial and temporal trends), pathways and
dynamics of persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the
western Atlantic marine ecosystem; and
- levels and health effects of EDCs in marine wildlife and humans,
especially effects on infants and children in high-risk populations
(e.g., the Inuit).

  • To facilitate an exchange of knowledge between individuals and groups
    working on the effects of environmental contamination by EDCs in wildlife
    and those working on the effects of contaminant exposure in humans

  • To share newly developed biotechnological methods and approaches to
    epidemiological and ecotoxicological research

  • To identify uncertainties and data gaps that could be filled by future
    collaborative research activities

  • To develop the first drafts of a summary report containing conclusions
    and recommendations and identifying research needs and new directions in
    the field.

The workshop should be of interest to individuals and groups working on:
* sources, levels and trends, pathways and effects of persistent
endocrine disruptors (e.g., organochlorines) in the marine ecosystem
* sources, levels and trends, pathways and effects of novel
compounds (e.g., toxaphene, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, etc) in the
marine ecosystem
* levels and effects of EDCs in marine wildlife species
* levels and effects of EDCs in human populations
* perinatal exposure and effects of EDCs in young animals and/or humans.

POTENTIAL OUTCOMES

It is anticipated that this workshop will result in increased
multidisciplinary research, information-sharing, and standardization of
methods and protocols among researchers in the region, and will serve as an
opportunity to review current data on the potential risks and uncertainties
associated with environmental endocrine disruption in marine wildlife and
humans. The Workshop Summary Report will identify research priorities and
funding needs for future ecotoxicological and epidemiological studies in the
western Atlantic marine ecosystem. The report will be distributed to
regional, national, and international scientific and regulatory bodies and
conservation groups responsible for the management of marine habitats and
wildlife as well as those agencies charged with protecting public health.

WORKSHOP ORGANIZERS

Susan Shaw, Dr. P.H., Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI)
Sylvain De Guise, D.M.V., Ph.D. University of Connecticut, Dept. of
Pathobiology

SPEAKERS:

Keynote Speaker:
Theo Colborn, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, World Wildlife Fund

Faculty:

John S. Barclay, Ph.D.,
Wildlife Conservation Research Center, U. of Connecticut
Sylvain De Guise, D.M.V., Ph.D.,
U. of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology
Eric Dewailly, M.D., Ph.D.,
WHO/PAHO Center, U. of Quebec
Michel Fournier, Ph.D.,
Centre de Recherche en Sante,
INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Quebec
Phillipe Grandjean, M.D.,
Boston University, Boston U. School of Public Health
(Confirmation Pending)
Louis Joseph Guillette Jr., D.V.M., Ph.D.,
University of Florida
Mark Hahn, Ph.D., and Brenda Jensen, M.S.,
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Corine Koopman-Esseboom, M.D., Ph.D.,
Children's Hospital, Utrecht
Angela Matz, Ph.D.,
No. Alaska Ecological Services,
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Mats Olsson, Ph.D.,
Contaminant Research Group,
Swedish Museum of Natural History
Ross J. Norstrom, Ph.D.,
Environment Canada,
Canadian Wildlife Service
Christopher R. Perkins, M.S.,
Environmental Research Institute (ERI),
University of Connecticut
Susan D. Shaw, Dr. P.H.,
Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI)
Janneche Utne Skaare, Ph.D.,
Dept. of Toxicology and Chemistry,
National Veterinary Institute, Oslo
John Sowles, M.S.,
Marine Environmental Monitoring Program,
State of Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection
David J. St. Aubin, Ph.D.,
Director of Research and Veterinary Services,
Mystic Aquarium
John Stegeman, Ph.D.,
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

REGISTRATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Registration Fee includes: hors d'oeuvres at registration,
lunches, reception for faculty and participants, coffee breaks
and lobster dinner.
Academic: $400
For Profit: $700
Student: $250
Application deadline: May 1, 2000
Student application deadline: March 15, 2000

MERI will offer at least 10 travel scholarships based on need to enable
qualified graduate students to attend this important meeting. Please
include your request for a scholarship in your application.

For further information and an updated list of speakers, visit the MERI
website: http://www.meriresearch.org/workshop.html