Endocrine Disruptors: The Next Generation of Regulatory Concern?

Growing concerns by the public over endocrine disruptors have captured the attention of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A number of studies have confirmed the presence of ‘endocrine disruptors’ in wastewater in sufficient quantity to cause hormonal changes in aquatic life. Endocrine disruptors are common in the environment because they are used in every aspect of our society. They can be found in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial by-products, plastics, and pesticides. This paper presents a summary of the current literature and provides an overview of what endocrine disruptors are, how they impact human and aquatic life, and the potential impacts for the wastewater industry. Additionally, this paper presents recent findings into the measurement of, and treatment methods for, known endocrine disruptors.