Synergistic ecotoxicity of APEOs-PAHs in rivers and sediments: is there a potential health risk?
The occurrence and persistence of anthropogenic pollutants in the environment showing estrogenic-endocrine modulating effects in aquatic organisms is a 'hot' issue of major health- and environment-related concern worldwide. The population growth and the increasing scarcity of water in many regions of the world have led to a comprehensive reuse of treated wastewater that, ultimately, may cause a long-term concentration buildup of many toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the closed cycle of water supply and wastewater treatment and reuse. The endocrinic/mutagenic potencies of the EDCs-branched chain alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their metabolites are well-documented. From approximately 5.5 x 108 m3/y of sewage produced in Israel, approximately 70% are reused, following a conventional, or advanced, activated sludge or sand aquifer treatment (SAT). A major related question is: Does this practice conform to sustainability? Our studies reveal that (a) the concentrations of APEOs and PAHs in Israel rivers and sediments do pose a potential health risk problem; and (b) the synergistic ecotoxicologic impact of environmentally relevant mixtures of these POPs, in WWTP effluents, constitutes an inconsistency, healthwise, with sustainability practice.
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Haifa University--Oranim, Kiryat Tivon 36006, Israel. uriz@research.haifa.ac.il
Uri
U
Zoller
Marwan
M
Hushan
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005019:Ethyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D005019:Ethyl Ethers; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical