Emerging Chemical Contaminants

There is growing concern worldwide about aquifer pollution by large numbers of emerging, anthropogenic chemicals (ECs) that escape standard wastewater treatment. Inasmuch as the rapidly-growing, arid Southwest uses such effluent to recharge depleting aquifers, there is an acute need for a better understanding of and a more complete treatment process to protect human and environmental health. Important among these contaminants is a broad suite of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that include natural or synthetic hormones as well as compounds that mimic hormones and may interfere with the operation of endocrine systems even at concentrations of parts per trillion. Indeed, evidence now indicates that some aquatic organisms are adversely affected at these levels where treated wastewater is discharged into streams. The paper will elaborate on these points building a case that this issue deserves attention. By Frank Butterworth, Ken Janecek, and Ed Wolfe. View Document.