The potential for oestrogenic effects of pesticides in headwater streams in the UK.
Twenty-six pesticidal compounds and samples of stormwater from two different agricultural catchments were screened for oestrogenic activity using an in vitro recombinant yeast-based assay. Only six fungicides showed an oestrogenic response with low comparative biological activity of 5000 to 2.5 million times less potent than 17beta-estradiol (E2), a natural steroidal oestrogen. Concentrations of biological activity expressed as E(2) equivalents for the headwater stream stormwater samples ranged from <0.01 to 0.11 ng E2/l. These values are at least one order of magnitude below levels that have been documented to produce oestrogenic effects in fish and are therefore considered to represent a low risk to associated headwater stream communities. The potential sources of the oestrogenic activity measured in the headwater streams are discussed.
Hurst
Mark R
MR
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HA, UK. m.r.hurst@cefas.co.uk
Sheahan
David A
DA
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005399:Fishes; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015003:Yeasts
D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D004958:Estradiol