Transcript Chemical Pollutants in Water: The Emerging Challenges Stakeholders Face Presentation

NCAC SOT: Emerging Issues in Water Contamination
Chemical Pollutants in Water: The Emerging
Challenges Stakeholders Face
April 15, 2010
Lynn. L. Bergeson
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
www.lawbc.com
Old Problems: New Twists
■ Water contamination is not new
■ Certain water contaminants are new, however, and
others are new to detection
 New class of contaminants called organic micropollutants
 Concept is micro “dose”/low dose
 Three large groupings
● Endocrine Disruption Compounds (EDCs)
● Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care Products (PCPs)
● Engineered Nanomaterials
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Endocrine Disruption Compounds
■ EDCs are not new, but emphasis on them is relatively
recent, and now quite intense under FQPA and SDWA
■ 67 chemicals have been identified by EPA to be in the
first group of chemicals to be screened
 756 test orders
 Sent to 440 companies
■ Second list of 100 chemicals to be screened is
expected to be available by October 2010
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Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care
Products (PCPs)
■ Contaminants include broad range of pharmaceuticals and PCPs,
including veterinary medicines
■ Many typically contain a broad spectrum of substances that
represent a range of physico-chemical properties
■ A recent article published by The Royal Society[1] categorized
common pharmaceuticals and PCPs by chemical compound
classes as follows: acidic pharmaceuticals, including ibuprofen,
naproxen, diclofenac, and benzafibrate; neutral pharmaceuticals,
including antiepileptics, psychiatrics, and lipid regulators;
betablockers such as metoprolol, atenolol, sotalol, and salbutamol;
iodinated X-ray contrast media, including diatrizoate, iopamidol,
and iopromide; and antibiotics such as triclosan, tetracyclines, and
penicillins.
[1] Comerton, A., et al. (2009). Practical Overview of Analytical Methods for Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceutical and
Personal Care Products in Water and Wastewater. Phil. Trans. R. Sor. A. 367:3923-3939.
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Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care
Products (PCPs) (cont’d)
■ Legislative response -- In 2009, the National Water
Research and Development Initiatives Act was passed
in the House. It would coordinate federal research and
development efforts regarding trace levels of
pharmaceuticals/PCPs in drinking water
■ A host of other measures have been introduced, along
with state initiatives
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Engineered Nanomaterials
■ Rapid commercialization -- Over 1,000 nano-enabled
products in commerce according to Project on
Emerging Nanotechnologies
■ Nanoparticles may be released in manufacturing
operations, when products are used as intended (sun
screen lotions), and upon end of life
■ Intentional application of certain nanomaterials as
remedial measures (zero valent nanoscale iron)
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Technical Challenges
■ Detection/Identification
■ Characterization
■ Number of contaminants
■ Treatment
■ Resources
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Thank you
Lynn L. Bergeson
BERGESON & CAMPBELL, P.C.
1203 Nineteenth Street, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20036
[email protected]
www.lawbc.com
THE ACTA GROUP, L.L.C.
1203 Nineteenth Street, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20036
www.actagroup.com
THE ACTA GROUP EU, LTD
Avanta Royal Mills
17 Redhill Street
Ancoats Urban Village
Manchester M4 5BA, UK
www.actagroup.com
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