Transcript Emerging Contaminants

EMERGING CONTAMINANTS
PHARMACEUTICALS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS (PPCPs)
“Contaminants of Emerging Concern” (CECs) – EPA
Thuan Chau
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:
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Antibiotics (veterinary and human)
PPCPs
Human drugs
Sex and steroidal hormones
Industrial and household products (insecticides, detergents, fire retardants,
fuels)
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
Current Knowledge & 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:
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Analytical methods development
Environmental occurrence
Sources and source pathways
Transport and fate
Ecological effects
USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
USGS 1999 – 2000
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.
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