Advisor

David A. Reckhow

Publication Date

9-2011

Abstract

Emerging public health concerns relating to the epigenetic effects of EDCs, along with the

reconceptualization of dose response curves, provides a compelling rationale for addressing

estrogenically active contaminants in drinking water. These environmental health concerns are

now known to have long lasting impacts, especially on fetal development. For this drinking

water research, the estrogenic EDC byproducts were identified and the treatment processes were

compared using the dose applied, the number of byproducts formed and the relative

quantification of the treatment byproducts. The analytical optimized method presented and

implemented in this research successfully determined the percent degradation of the parent

compound for each disinfection treatment selected. From the resulting data, the chlorination of

EE2 and DES produced the highest percent degradation of the parent compound, with the least

number of byproducts. The optimized method decreased sample variability; showed a better fit

to a linear calibration with both high and low concentrations of the parent compound; and lower

MQLs and MDLs. Continuing research is needed to help in understanding the complete

consequences of estrogenic endocrine disruptors in drinking water and the inevitable public

health impact.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/8S51-Q409

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