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ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING COMPOUNDS: PROCESSES FOR REMOVAL FROM DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER
Citation:
Cicmanec*, J L. ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING COMPOUNDS: PROCESSES FOR REMOVAL FROM DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER. Presented at National Groundwater Association Meeting, Washington, DC, 7/10-12/2002.
Description:
Although the list of potentially harmful substances is still being compiled and more sophisticated laboratory tests for detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are being developed, an initial list of known EDCs has been made and an array of drinking water and wastewater treatment processes have been evaluated for their ability to remove EDCs. The group of compounds that have been initially identified as EDCs includes alkylphenols, ethinyl estradiol, various phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and dibenzofurans. The pesticides methoxychlor, and DDT have also been included in the initial list. In addition to the conventional water treatment processes of sedimentation, coagulaion, and filtration we have also considered the potential effects of granular activated carbon, powdered activated carbon, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and air stripping for the removal of EDCs. Our findings indicate that granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) are the most effective processes for the removal of the selected group of EDCs. For the removal of EDCs from wastewater the use of granular filtration beds, powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, compost9ing, aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion, and separation of aqueous material by clarification have been investigated. This presentation will provide information on the selection process for EDCs as well as examples of in the field use of removal technologies.