Synthetic estrogen-like compounds have been found in the marine environment. The synthetic compounds "mimic" the biological activity of the important vertebrate sex hormone estrogen. How is this pollutant best classified and why? What caused this to be a public health concern?

The synthetic estrogen-like hormone is classified as a xenohormone. Xenohormones have hormone like affects when absorbed or ingested by animals. As a result, they cause a variety endocrine complications. These types of compounds in the environment can easily find their way into the fishes that humans consume and eventually cause endocrine problems in the human population.