(Columbia, Tenn. - September 20, 2010) - - - Associate Professor of Biology Mandy Carter-Lowe will present a lecture on Endocrine Disruptors on Wednesday, September 29 at 3:30 p.m. in the Waymon L. Hickman building, room 123 on the Columbia Campus. The event is sponsored by Columbia State Community College's Lyceum Committee and is free and open to the public.

"Endocrine disruptors are externally generated substances that act like hormones in the endocrine system (glandular) and disrupt the physiologic function of the human internal hormones. Some disruptors are plastic bottles, insecticides, and flame retardants, to name a few," said Dr. Glenn Hudson, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Columbia State.

Carter-Lowe's lecture will focus on the presence of endocrine disruptors that may exist in everyday life and the potential impact on humans. She explains that, "although still debated, evidence is building to support the idea that commonly used chemicals may have an effect on natural hormone function in our bodies. Is it safe to drink from plastic water bottles? Will my children start puberty early? We will discuss answers to these questions as I present an overview of potential endocrine disruptors along with a brief history of the field and the associated scientific controversy."

For more information contact the Lyceum Committee by e-mailing lyceum@columbiastate.edu.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

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