Understanding EDCs and PPCPs in Water
Prepared by:
Intertox, Inc. 600 Stewart Street, Suite 1101, Seattle, WA 98101
© 2015
Water Research
Foundation.
ALLwithout
RIGHTSpermission.
RESERVED.
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied,
reproduced,
or otherwise
utilized
Pharmaceuticals And Personal
Care Products
From many human activities through wastewater plants or septic systems, or
runoff from land
Prescription and OTC
Medicines
Analgesics
Antidepressants
Blood pressure drugs
Veterinary medicines
Antibiotics
Hormones
Food and beverage ingredients
PCP Ingredients
Acesulfame (sweetener)
Caffeine
Theobromine (chocolate)
Fragrances
DEET
Triclosan
Drugs of abuse
Health care facilities
Morphine
Nicotine
Analgesics
Antibiotics
Chemotherapy agents
X-ray contrast agents
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
From many human activities
Natural and medicinal hormones
Surfactants
Estradiol
Estrone
Ethinylestradiol
4- Nonylphenol
Octylphenol
Plasticizers
Flame retardants and coatings
Bisphenol A
Phthalates
PFOS/ PFOA
TBEP/ TCEP
Pesticides
Sunscreens and
lotions
Atrazine
Metolachlor
DEET
Octyl methoxy cinnamate
Triclosan
EDCs can interfere with natural hormones that control daily bodily processes
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Why Are We Detecting More In
Our Drinking Water?
More chemicals are being produced:
• Between 1982 and 2012, FDA approved 775 unique new drug entities
• During the same time, more than 22,000 new chemicals have been added
to EPA’s TSCA* inventory
We can detect them at lower levels:
 Since 2007, the ability to detect PPCPs in water
has improved, and detection is now possible at
1/10th of previous levels
*Toxic Substances Control Act
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
What Levels Are Found In Water?
When detected in water, PPCPs and EDCs are at parts per
billion (ppb) or even lower levels at parts per trillion (ppt)
A part per billion (ppb) is
equivalent to ½ tsp. of
water in an Olympicsized swimming pool
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
A part per trillion (ppt) is
1/1000 of a part per
billion , or about one-half
drop of water in an
Olympic-sized pool
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
How Do These Concentrations
Relate to Dose?
If ibuprofen was present in water at these levels, a
person would have to drink:
845,000 8-oz glasses containing 1 ppb
845,000,000 8-oz glasses containing 1 ppt
to get a dose equal to one ibuprofen tablet
(200 mg)
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
How Do These Concentrations
Relate to Dose?
At the highest concentration of ibuprofen ever
detected in drinking water in the U.S. (1.35 ppb), a
person would have to drink this much water to equal
the dose in one ibuprofen tablet (200 mg):
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Are These Levels A Risk To My
Health?
For each detected substance, health protective Acceptable
Daily Intakes (ADIs) were derived from doses at which no
health effects were seen in studies, with additional safety
factors added
Starting dose
no effect (even a pharmaceutical effect)
at this dose
*multiple safety factors
1,000- 10,000 times (or more) lower dose
ADI
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Are These Levels A Risk To My
Health?
At the highest detected concentration of ibuprofen
(1.35 ppb) a person would have to drink more than
213 8-oz glasses of water per day
to reach the ADI dose*
*No effects are expected at this dose—including a “pharmacological” effect—even in sensitive individuals
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
What Can The Public Do?
Don’t flush medicines down the drain or toilet
Utilize household hazardous waste collection services
Plant vegetation to reduce stormwater runoff and erosion
Eliminate excess application of pesticides and fertilizers
Wash your car at a car wash
Minimize use of products that contain EDCs and PPCPs
Based on Bruce and Pleus 2015. A Comprehensive Overview of EDCs and PPCPs in Water.
Denver, Colo.: Water Research Foundation
© 2015 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.