Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other known or suspected endocrine disrupting compounds have been widely detected in various waters throughout the world. Prior to this study, however, sampling for...
Description
Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other known or suspected endocrine disrupting compounds have been widely detected in various waters throughout the world. Prior to this study, however, sampling for these substances was rather limited within Alberta. In 2002 and 2003, due to concerns about potential impacts on humans, livestock, aquatic organisms, and wildlife, Alberta Environment collected wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and receiving river water from numerous locations throughout the province and analysed them for a broad range of organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs). This initial survey, encompassing an assortment of pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, steroids, surfactants, and plasticizers, was designed to determine which compounds are released by WWTPs in Alberta and to assess their presence in receiving river waters.