Ordering Information:
ORDER NUMBER:  91228
DATE AVAILABLE: Summer 2008

Printed Report		PDF
Subscribers	Order Report
Non-Subscriber	Awwa Bookstore (Oct. 2008)	N/A
	IWA Publishing (Jan. 2009)	N/A

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
Shane A. Snyder, Brett J. Vanderford, Jörg Drewes, Eric Dickenson, Erin M. Snyder, Gretchen M. Bruce, and Richard C. Pleus

OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this project was to develop a concise review on the state of knowledge of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water so water utilities can communicate with customers and make internal decisions on monitoring and treatment options. The purpose of the guide was to summarize the history, analytical methods, bioassays, occurrence, health relevance, and communication issues regarding endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals.

BACKGROUND:
Over the past decade, EDCs and PPCPs have become a major issue for drinking water utilities. The public, scientists, and regulators all have begun actively investigating this issue, and utilities are often tasked with addressing and communicating complex and sometime conflicting scientific data. In recent times, many utilities have been faced with difficult requests from the community regarding occurrence, treatment, and health relevance data. This report serves to provide utilities with summary data useful in addressing these requests.

HIGHLIGHTS:
This report provide utilities with a synopsis of the state of knowledge regarding the history, analytical methods, bioassays, occurrence, health relevance, and communication tools related to EDCs and pharmaceuticals in drinking water. Based upon the reviews provided, indicator and surrogate compounds are suggested that provide utilities with a more manageable group of representative chemicals that may be addressed. This report also provides a summary of water treatment options that are capable of minimizing EDC/pharmaceutical concentrations in drinking water. A summary of the health effects data available for these emerging contaminants is also provided in this report. The final chapter deals with communication tools that aid in the dissemination of this complex topic to water utility customers.

APPROACH:
Literature regarding EDCs and PPCPs in water was evaluated for applicability to drinking water utilities. Suitable data was determined by publication in peer-reviewed literature, data from within the research team and funding agency, and through suggestions from the Project Advisory Committee. It was not feasible, nor particularly useful, to review every chemical that could be considered a suspected EDC or a PPCP. Therefore, a subset of chemicals was chosen that are representative of the subclasses and types of EDCs and PPCPs that are of current scientific and public interest. The wealth of data evaluated was summarized into succinct chapters that provide the key findings of the review, while providing references for those who seek detailed information.

RESULTS/FINDINGS:
This report demonstrates that EDCs and PPCPs can be found in drinking water and there are data available to provide context for analytical detections, treatment options, and human health concerns. Furthermore, sufficient information exists to communicate to a broad group of stakeholders. Analytical technology for monitoring EDCs and PPCPs in water has evolved from early derivatization GC-MS techniques, to the current isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS methods. These methods and their evolution are discussed along with corresponding occurrence data. Both conventional and advanced water treatment systems have the capability to reduce the concentration of trace EDCs/PPCPs in water. The degree of removal is related to the specific treatment process and incoming water quality. A review of currently available literature regarding the human health relevance of trace EDCs and PPCPs in drinking water indicates that of those compounds evaluated, none demonstrate the imminent threat to humans at the concentrations that occur in drinking water. Communicating with the public on emerging contaminant issues is absolutely vital. The key point is that simply detecting any chemical in water does not imply human health risk. Utilities are encouraged to continue to monitor regulatory and scientific findings related to trace EDCs and pharmaceuticals in water and to maintain an open dialog with customers.

IMPACT:
This utility guide provides a comprehensive overview of the state of knowledge regarding the issue of EDCs and pharmaceuticals in drinking water. The report summarizes key findings related to monitoring techniques, occurrence, treatment, and human health relevance of these emerging contaminants. The report was developed with utilities in mind, and provides valuable information related to public communication of complex scientific data.

PARTICIPANT:
Southern Nevada Water Authority

ISBN 978-1-60573-030-1