International audience | Diffuse phytosanitary pollution is a complex phenomenon to manage. Reducing this type of pollution is one of today’s key socio-economic and environmental challenges. At the regional level, few approaches enable the actors concerned to implement agricultural management strategies to reduce the use and impact of phytosanitary products. Our research problem focused on the consequences of intensive agriculture and, in particular, how to evaluate the impact of phytosanitary products on human health and the environment. In this article, we present the SimPhy simulation game which places the actors from a given region directly into a situation in which they manage farms whilst under pressure to reduce phytosanitaries (quantity and toxicity). The application focused on the Merja Zerga catchment area in Morocco. The region is dominated by intensive agriculture which is located upstream from a Ramsar-classified wetland area. The SimPhy simulation game is based on a decision support system-type tool. It allows us to anticipate the impact of regulations on farming systems. It also enables us to analyse the consequences of the actors’ strategies on farm economies, human health and the quality of ecosystems. Initial results from the SimPhy simulation game enabled the technicians from Agricultural Development Center (CDA) themselves to learn about managing agricultural production systems in a dynamic and interactive fashion. With the simulation game, it was possible to learn about the farmer's ability to adapt to new regulatory constraints, and the involved consequences for toxicity risks for human health and the environment.

Recent clinical or epidemiological studies are reporting alarming results on the effects of certain groups of chemicals on the female reproductive system. These endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) influence the normal activities of hormones secreted from the female hypothalamus, ovary, pituitary & uterus. The female reproductive disorders are mainly observed at embryonic or during fetal development and subsequently get matured during puberty. Various toxic chemicals and other pollutants interact with the chemical structure of the hormones and hence prolonged effects are seen at the cellular and molecular level of hormones resulting in disruption of secretion and function. Due to poor coordination of hormones and other reproductive organs of the body vital functions are compromised. Hence it’s highly significant to study and explore the toxicity of chemicals that play a key role in the malfunctioning of the female reproductive system. In this review, we are concerned about the influence of EDCs and their significance in public health. Furthermore, we illustrated the discussion on the increasing effects of EDCs in various parts such as clinical, animal models, or epidemiological studies to develop awareness among the people.