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