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“Contaminants of Emerging Concern” (CECs) – EPA . Emerging Contaminants pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP s ). Thuan Chau. University of Utah. Emerging Contaminants. Synthetic/naturally occurring chemical and microbial constituents
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“Contaminants of Emerging Concern” (CECs) – EPA Emerging Contaminantspharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) ThuanChau University of Utah
Emerging Contaminants • Synthetic/naturally occurring chemical and microbial constituents • From municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewater sources and pathways USGS-EPA contaminant groups: • Antibiotics (veterinary and human) • Human drugs • Sex and steroidal hormones • Industrial and household products (insecticides, detergents, fire retardants, fuels) PPCPs
PPCPs • Highly water soluble and persistent • ~3000 substances used as ingredients • Inefficient wastewater/water treatment process • WWTPs requires 2nd treatment options • WTPs requires nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, or powdered activated carbon (PAC) (Lead to additional transformation products) • Concerns: • “Super Bugs” (bacterial resistance) • Decrease biodegradation of leaf and other plant materials • Infertility, delayed reproductive development, disrupt hormones, kidney and liver damage Potential risk to humans and ecosystems
CurrentKnowledge & Focus • Concentration in range of ng/L – ug/L • Under lowest observed effect concentrations • Drinking water analysis (Benotti et al., 2006-2007) • 51 pollutants: <10ng/L – 12ng/L • Removal of PPCPs: • 25% of triclocarbon (WWTPs) • 95% of estrogen (WWTPs) • Research focus: • Analytical methods development • Environmental occurrence • Sources and source pathways • Transport and fate • Ecological effects
USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program 139 streams (30 states) --- 82 chemicals and 31 different drugs were found in 80% of the streams. The most common chemicals were steroids (anti-inflammatory drugs), antibiotics, nonprescription drugs, caffeine and insect repellent. USGS 1999 – 2000
What Need to be Address • Proposed project: Determine fate and transport of PPCPs contaminants from WWTPs influent and effluent. • Analysis influent and effluent for PPCPs • Spatial analysis of PPCPs post WWTPs WWTP