title: Occurrence, temporal variation, and estrogenic burden of five parabens in sewage sludge collected across the United States.
abstract: Five parabens used as preservatives in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were measured in sewage sludges collected at 14 U.S. wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in nine states. Detected concentration ranges (ng/g, dry weight) and frequencies were as follows: methyl paraben (15.9 to 203.0; 100%), propyl paraben (0.5 to 7.7; 100%), ethyl paraben (<0.6 to 2.6; 63%), butyl paraben (<0.4 to 4.3; 42%) and benzyl paraben (<0.4 to 3.3; 26%). The estrogenicity inherent to the sum of parabens detected in sewage sludge (ranging from 10.1 to 500.1pg/kg 17β-estradiol equivalents) was insignificant when compared to the 106-times higher value calculated for natural estrogens reported in the literature to occur in sewage sludge. Temporal monitoring at one WWTP provided insights into temporal and seasonal variations in paraben concentrations. This is the first report on the occurrence of five parabens in sewage sludges from across the U.S., and internationally, the first on temporal variations of paraben levels in sewage sludge. Study results will help to inform the risk assessment of sewage sludge destined for land application (biosolids).
authors.affiliation: Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States.
authors.forename: Benny F G
authors.initials: BFG
authors.lastname: Pycke
authors.affiliation: School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, United States.
authors.forename: Bruce J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Brownawell
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, CO 81001, United States.
authors.forename: Chad A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kinney
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, P.O. Box 25585, Denver, CO 80225, United States.
authors.forename: Edward T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Furlong
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 400 S. Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States.
authors.forename: Dana W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kolpin
authors.affiliation: Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States. Electronic address: rolf.halden@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Rolf U
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Halden
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis*; D010226:Parabens / Q000032:analysis*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D010226:Parabens; D012722:Sewage
keywords: Estrogenic potential; Paraben; Sludge; Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)