IWRA 2023 Online Conference - Emerging Pollutants: Protecting Water Quality for the Health of People and the Environment
Theme 2: Emerging pollutants and groundwater
Author(s): Suryakanta Acharya
Suryakanta Acharya, PAY-W Clinic, Assam Cancer Care Foundation; Consultant Oncologist, Assam Cancer Care Foundation
Oral: PDFAbstract
BACKGROUND
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Access to safe water is paramount in determining environmental sustainability, public health, and economic prosperity.
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Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are an environmental contaminant of emerging concern, which threatens the safety of drinking water.
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EDCs are emerging contaminants that have accumulated in the water at concentration levels that have been determined to be significant to humans and animals.
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Several compounds belong to this family, from natural substances (hormones such as estrone, 17β-estradiol, and estriol) to synthetic chemicals, especially pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and plastic-derived compounds (phthalates, bisphenol A).
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The purpose of this article is to compile important aspects of EDCs, especially human health effects.
CONCLUSION
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Integrating preventive measures with a multibarrier approach to safe drinking water is highly challenging because of the relatively low public awareness and political responsibility, as well as the nature and characteristics of EDCs themselves.
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Further progress on the detection, complete health hazards and removal of EDCs from drinking water are need of the hour.
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WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality is now receiving rolling updates as and when new data emerge. The latest guideline is 4th edition with addenda, published in 2022.
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EDCs are also present in air and food; total intake from all sources is the deciding factor for human health effects. A holistic approach to this emerging issue is needed.
18 January 2023/ 11.15 CET