# Indications of Endocrine Disruptor Effects of JP-5 Jet Fuel Using a Rat-Model Reproductive Study and an In Vitro Human Hormone Receptor Assay

## TL;DR

This study shows that JP-5 jet fuel may act as an endocrine disruptor by affecting hormone levels and activating estrogen receptors in humans.

## Contribution

The study introduces new evidence linking JP-5 jet fuel exposure to endocrine disruption via estrogen receptor activation and altered hormone levels.

## Key findings

- JP-5 exposure in rats caused lower estradiol in males and higher Dehydroepiandrosterone in females.
- JP-5 and JP-8 activated human estrogen receptors in vitro, but HRJ fuel did not.
- Jet fuels did not activate androgen or glucocorticoid receptors in the assays.

## Abstract

Recent events concerning jet fuel contamination of drinking water have shown that we need a better understanding of the effects of ingested jet fuel. To this end, a reproductive study with ingested jet fuel in rats was undertaken with relatively high concentrations of Jet Propellant (JP)-5 along with a human estrogen receptor activation in vitro assay using JP-5, JP-8, and an alternative jet fuel derived from the camelina plant referred to as HydroRenewable Jet (HRJ) fuel, to help evaluate potential effects of ingested jet fuel. The results of the in vivo study provide evidence that JP-5 can act as an endocrine disruptor, with specific observations including altered hormone levels with JP-5 exposure (significantly lower estradiol levels in male rats and significantly increased Dehydroepiandrosterone levels in females), and a decreased male/female offspring ratio. The in vitro hormone receptor activation assay indicated that JP-5 and JP-8 are capable of upregulating human estrogen receptor (ER) activity, while HRJ was not active in the ER assay. The jet fuels were not able to activate androgen or glucocorticoid receptors in further in vitro assays. These results infer potential endocrine disruption associated with JP-5, with activation of the estrogen receptor as one potential mechanism of action.