Endocrine Disruptors in Our Environment

Endocrine Disruptorsin

Our Environment

Linda TsengAugust 6th, 2009

Outline

• Introduction• EDCs of interest• Results and Data• Current and future work

Introduction

• Definition of EDC– A substance that has an effect in humans similar

to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or such other endocrine effect

• Chemical that disrupts any part of the endocrine system

Introduction

• Why are we interested in them– Harmful to humans & animals alike– Ubiquitously found– Bioaccumulative– Some are recalcitrant

EDCs of Interest

• PFCs– Surfactants, surface protectors– Fire fighting foams, insecticides, etc.– No known natural degradation pathways

• Bisphenol A– Plasticizers, first used as an estrogen substitute– Polycarbonate plastics– ~15 days in river, ~4.5 hrs in air, ~30 days in soil

EDCs of Interest

• (Galaxolide)– Fragrance– Shampoo, perfumes, body oils, lotions,

deodorants, soaps, shaving creams, conditioners, furniture polishes, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, etc.

Results & Data—PFCs

• PFCs

Results & Data—PFCs

• SC mostly has lower conc than CC• LCC < UCC

Results & Data—PFCs

• Water conc < sediment conc• Similar conc found at 3 locations

Results & Data—PFCs

• Higher conc upstream• Higher conc in sediment• Higher conc in CC• Potential sources

– Land use*– Time of day variations– GW recharge– Sediment types

DEMFlow Direction

Check Sink of Flow Direction

Because there were sinks in the flow direction, the sinks must be filled using Fill on the DEM, and another flow direction was created from the new DEM

Flow Accumulation

Threshold flow accumulation to find river network

Stream Link Snap Pour Points of Watersheds

Identify Watersheds

Results & Data—PFCs

• Why does CC have more PFCs?– Less developed land cover– GW recharge– Sediment types

Results & Data—PFCs

• Extraction reproducibility

Current Research & Future Plans

• BPA extraction from water & sediment– San Diego Creek

• Galaxolide extraction in water & biosolids– Partition of xenobiotics in WWTPs

• Future– Accumulation of xenobiotics in plants