Glossary [53–55]
Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC’s) They are chemicals that either mimic
endogenous hormones, interfere with pharmacokinetics or act by other mechanisms. Such adverse effects as compromised reproductive fitness, functional or
morphological birth defects, cancer, and altered immune functions, among others,
have been reported.
Endocrine disruptors (a) They are substances that are not produced in the body
but act by mimicking or antagonizing natural hormones. (b) They are chemicals
that either mimic endogenous hormones, interfere with pharmacokinetics, or act
by other mechanisms resulting in adverse effects such as compromised reproductive fitness, functional or morphological birth defects, cancer, and altered immune
functions. (c) They are environmental pollutants with adverse hormonal effects
on wildlife and humans, such as pesticides (methoxychlor), surfactants
(nonylphenol),
plasticizers
(diethylphthalate),
and
organohalogens
(polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs and dioxin).
Endocrine systems They are also referred to as hormone systems and are found in
all mammals, birds, fish, and many other types. The endocrine system regulates
all biological processes in the body from conception through adulthood and into
old age, including the development of the brain and nervous system, the growth
and function of the reproductive system, as well as the metabolism and blood
sugar levels.
Granular activated carbon adsorption Granular activated carbon (GAC) is used
in wastewater substances GAC systems that generally consist of vessels in which
the carbon is placed, forming a “filter” bed. These systems can also include
carbon storage vessels and thermal regeneration facilities. Vessels are usually
circular for pressure systems or rectangular for gravity flow systems. Once the
carbon adsorptive capacity has been fully utilized, it must be disposed of or
regenerated. Usually multiple carbon vessels are used to allow continuous operation. Columns can be operated in series or parallel modes. All vessels must be
equipped with carbon removal and loading mechanisms to allow for the removal
of spent carbon and the addition of new material. Flow can be either upward or
downward through the carbon bed. Vessels are backwashed periodically. Surface
wash and air scour systems can also be used as part of the backwash cycle.
Hormone A hormone is any member of a class of signaling molecules, produced by
glands in multicellular organisms, that are transported by the circulatory system
to target distant organs to regulate physiology and behavior.
Powdered activated carbon adsorption Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is used
in both water and wastewater treatment. For water treatment, PAC systems
generally involve of dosing powdered activated carbons in slurry form to rapid
mixers and flocculators (for mixing and flocculation, and adsorption) before
reaching clarifiers for PAC-floc separation and clarifier effluent discharge. For
wastewater treatment, powdered activated carbon in slurry form is dosed to either
mixing/flocculation chambers (if they exist) or to an aeration basin directly to be
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Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC’s) They are chemicals that either mimic
endogenous hormones, interfere with pharmacokinetics or act by other mechanisms. Such adverse effects as compromised reproductive fitness, functional or
morphological birth defects, cancer, and altered immune functions, among others,
have been reported.
Endocrine disruptors (a) They are substances that are not produced in the body
but act by mimicking or antagonizing natural hormones. (b) They are chemicals
that either mimic endogenous hormones, interfere with pharmacokinetics, or act
by other mechanisms resulting in adverse effects such as compromised reproductive fitness, functional or morphological birth defects, cancer, and altered immune
functions. (c) They are environmental pollutants with adverse hormonal effects
on wildlife and humans, such as pesticides (methoxychlor), surfactants
(nonylphenol),
plasticizers
(diethylphthalate),
and
organohalogens
(polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs and dioxin).
Endocrine systems They are also referred to as hormone systems and are found in
all mammals, birds, fish, and many other types. The endocrine system regulates
all biological processes in the body from conception through adulthood and into
old age, including the development of the brain and nervous system, the growth
and function of the reproductive system, as well as the metabolism and blood
sugar levels.
Granular activated carbon adsorption Granular activated carbon (GAC) is used
in wastewater substances GAC systems that generally consist of vessels in which
the carbon is placed, forming a “filter” bed. These systems can also include
carbon storage vessels and thermal regeneration facilities. Vessels are usually
circular for pressure systems or rectangular for gravity flow systems. Once the
carbon adsorptive capacity has been fully utilized, it must be disposed of or
regenerated. Usually multiple carbon vessels are used to allow continuous operation. Columns can be operated in series or parallel modes. All vessels must be
equipped with carbon removal and loading mechanisms to allow for the removal
of spent carbon and the addition of new material. Flow can be either upward or
downward through the carbon bed. Vessels are backwashed periodically. Surface
wash and air scour systems can also be used as part of the backwash cycle.
Hormone A hormone is any member of a class of signaling molecules, produced by
glands in multicellular organisms, that are transported by the circulatory system
to target distant organs to regulate physiology and behavior.
Powdered activated carbon adsorption Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is used
in both water and wastewater treatment. For water treatment, PAC systems
generally involve of dosing powdered activated carbons in slurry form to rapid
mixers and flocculators (for mixing and flocculation, and adsorption) before
reaching clarifiers for PAC-floc separation and clarifier effluent discharge. For
wastewater treatment, powdered activated carbon in slurry form is dosed to either
mixing/flocculation chambers (if they exist) or to an aeration basin directly to be
4 Endocrine Disruptors
191