2nd Australian Symposium on Ecological Risk Assessment and Management of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in the Australasian Environment

Topics: Environmental Chemistry, Keywords: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, Risk Assessment, Ecotoxicology

Date: /21/22/ November 2007, Canberra, Australia

Web Site, Contact: Sandra.Tyrrell@csiro.au

  

Official Information:

What’s in Our Water: The significance of trace organic compounds

There is significant community concern about the presence of trace levels of certain organic chemicals in the environment, especially in wastewater or reclaimed water. Compounds such as estradiols, nonylphenol, bisphenol A, PCBs and some pesticides can mimic natural hormones, potentially interfering with the normal functioning of endocrine systems. Such compounds are generally referred to as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). Studies in Australia and overseas have found residues of EDCs as well as pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment, some of these may act as EDCs. The importance of the issue is highlighted by how the “fear of the unknown” is influencing the choices and options for recycling and reuse of water in Australia.

While the cause and effect relationships between EDCs and human health are not established, there is relatively greater evidence in the literature of the effect on ecosystem health of EDCs. The ecological risks associated with EDCs and PPCPs in the Australian environment needs to be established.

This workshop brings together this latest Australian and international research for discussion and to facilitate better understanding of the risk associated with trace organic chemicals such as EDCs, PPCPs in Australian environment.