Human Health Risks From Dislodged Residues Of Endocrine Disruptors From Turf Irrigated With Reclaimed Water.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs^[1]) occur in reclaimed water (RW^[2]) and constitute unknown risks to humans. The presence of EDCs in reclaimed water used to irrigate turf and in nearby water retention ponds was determined, and used in the first step of an assessment of risk to a child playing on recently irrigated turf and subjected to dislodged EDC residues. Five EDCs (estrone, 17ß-estradiol, 17α-ethynylestradiol, bisphenol A and 4-n-nonylphenol) were quantified in 28 samples of reclaimed waters (wastewater treatment plant effluents) and 64 samples from residential ponds. St. Augustine turf grass was irrigated with spiked RW to study dislodgement of the five EDCs using a drag sled method. EDCs were detected in both RW and ponds at parts per trillion concentrations. Maximum EDC masses were dislodged immediately after irrigation. Dislodged masses of estrone, 17ß-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol decreased rapidly and were below detection limits 4 hours after application. Dislodged bisphenol-A and nonylphenol decreased more slowly, but were not detected 6 hours after application. The human health risk associated with dislodged residues of EDCs from turf irrigated with RW was minimal.

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[1] Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

[2] Reclaimed Water

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil & Water Management & Conservation
See more from this Session: Water, Nutrients, and Conservation Systems

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