equipment that pollutes lake and stream sediments in many industrial regions;
(c) dioxins, a group of toxic chemical by-products from paper production and
incineration; (d) chemicals found in the epoxy lining of “tin” cans, plastics used
for storing food, dental sealants, and (e) vinclozolin, a fungicide used on fruit.
A growing body of scientific research indicates that man-made industrial
chemicals and pesticides may interfere with the normal functioning of human and
wildlife endocrine systems. A hormone is defined as any substance in the body that is
produced by one organ then carried by the bloodstream to have an effect in another
organ. The primary function of hormones, or the endocrine system, is to maintain a
stable environment within the body; this is often referred to as homeostasis. The
endocrine system also controls reproduction and growth.
Recently, public concern has focused on the possible hormonal effects of some
environmental pollutants on wildlife and humans. These chemicals, referred to
collectively as endocrine disruptors, comprise a wide range of substances including
pesticides (methoxychlor), surfactants (nonylphenol), plasticizers (diethylphthalate),
and organohalogens (polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs and dioxin). Endocrine
disruptors may be found in many everyday products – including plastic bottles,
metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.
Many industrial chemicals and pesticides have undergone extensive toxicological
testing; however, since the purpose of this testing was not to find some subtle
endocrine effects, these potential effects may not have been revealed. The persistence of some pesticides in the aquatic environment may pose a threat to the human
population, especially if such substances occur in the nation’s drinking water
sources. As a result of this growing concern, the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) Amendments and the Food Quality Protection Act require EPA to develop
a screening and testing program to determine which chemical substances have
possible endocrine disrupting effects in humans [7].
One example of the devastating consequences of the exposure of developing
animals, including humans, to endocrine disruptors is the case of the potent drug
diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen. Prior to its ban in the early 1970s,
doctors mistakenly prescribed DES to as many as five million pregnant women to
block spontaneous abortion and promote fetal growth. It was discovered after the
children went through puberty that DES affected the development of the reproductive system and caused vaginal cancer. Since then, Congress has improved the
evaluation and regulation process of drugs and other chemicals.
Many of the potential EDCs may be present in surface water or groundwater. A
number of drinking water treatment processes are available and may be used to
remove many of the potential EDCs. This chapter presents treatment processes for
large municipalities as well as small communities to remove specific EDCs from
drinking water.
4 Endocrine Disruptors
173
(c) dioxins, a group of toxic chemical by-products from paper production and
incineration; (d) chemicals found in the epoxy lining of “tin” cans, plastics used
for storing food, dental sealants, and (e) vinclozolin, a fungicide used on fruit.
A growing body of scientific research indicates that man-made industrial
chemicals and pesticides may interfere with the normal functioning of human and
wildlife endocrine systems. A hormone is defined as any substance in the body that is
produced by one organ then carried by the bloodstream to have an effect in another
organ. The primary function of hormones, or the endocrine system, is to maintain a
stable environment within the body; this is often referred to as homeostasis. The
endocrine system also controls reproduction and growth.
Recently, public concern has focused on the possible hormonal effects of some
environmental pollutants on wildlife and humans. These chemicals, referred to
collectively as endocrine disruptors, comprise a wide range of substances including
pesticides (methoxychlor), surfactants (nonylphenol), plasticizers (diethylphthalate),
and organohalogens (polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs and dioxin). Endocrine
disruptors may be found in many everyday products – including plastic bottles,
metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.
Many industrial chemicals and pesticides have undergone extensive toxicological
testing; however, since the purpose of this testing was not to find some subtle
endocrine effects, these potential effects may not have been revealed. The persistence of some pesticides in the aquatic environment may pose a threat to the human
population, especially if such substances occur in the nation’s drinking water
sources. As a result of this growing concern, the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) Amendments and the Food Quality Protection Act require EPA to develop
a screening and testing program to determine which chemical substances have
possible endocrine disrupting effects in humans [7].
One example of the devastating consequences of the exposure of developing
animals, including humans, to endocrine disruptors is the case of the potent drug
diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen. Prior to its ban in the early 1970s,
doctors mistakenly prescribed DES to as many as five million pregnant women to
block spontaneous abortion and promote fetal growth. It was discovered after the
children went through puberty that DES affected the development of the reproductive system and caused vaginal cancer. Since then, Congress has improved the
evaluation and regulation process of drugs and other chemicals.
Many of the potential EDCs may be present in surface water or groundwater. A
number of drinking water treatment processes are available and may be used to
remove many of the potential EDCs. This chapter presents treatment processes for
large municipalities as well as small communities to remove specific EDCs from
drinking water.
4 Endocrine Disruptors
173