Environmental exposure assessment of ethinyl estradiol (EE) from a combined hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring after disposal; leaching from landfills.
In this study an environmental exposure assessment and experiments were carried out to identify the leaching potential of ethinyl estradiol (EE) present in a vaginal contraceptive (NuvaRing) when disposed of in landfills. Landfill material and a sandy soil were used to investigate the mobility of EE. Log K(oc) values determined in the range of 3 to 4 indicate that EE does not have a high mobility in landfills and soils. Column experiments were used to estimate that it takes approximately 40 years before EE leaches from a column of 1 m of landfill material or sandy soil. This column experiment, which was performed with an EE concentration based on worst-case assumptions, demonstrates that the emission of EE from landfills is negligible. Sandy soils below landfills also act as a strong sorbent of EE, thereby further reducing the potential for groundwater contamination.
Geurts
M G J
MG
Akzo Nobel Chemicals, P.O. Box 9300, 6800 SB Arnhem, Netherlands.
de Boer
W
W
de Graaf
J S
JS
van Ginkel
C G
CG
D000327:Adsorption; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011891:Rain; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D012822:Silicon Dioxide