Recently, the effects of endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) on human and wildlife populations have garnered a great deal of attention from the public, researchers and legislators. EDCs are chemicals which effect normal hormone functions and levels. They have been associated with a wide variety of health concerns such as: cancers (breast, prostate, testicular, ovarian, ect.); early onset of puberty; genital tract abnormalities; altered sex ratios; reduced sperm counts; and many other health effects. Most EDCs are lipophilic and accumulate over a long term exposure, which makes exposure to even very low levels a potential health risk. Water has recently been studied as a potential source for the introduction of EDCs in human populations. In fact several states have enacted legislation regulating EDCs and the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee passed HR 5320 by a vote of 45 to 1 which would mandate all municipalities test potable water for ECDs. In the analysis of water, EDCs are difficult to measure because of their extremely low levels. In this study, two internationally validated estrogenic endocrine disruptors bioassays were used to analyze both spiked water and un-spiked water. The two validated methods used were the Alion ER Assay, using the BG1-ER cells with the ICCVAM approved protocol; and the CERI assay using the HeLa 9903a cells, with a modified EDSP protocol to allow for greater induction and sensitivity. The Alion ER Assay was developed at UC Davis and validated in coordination with ICCVAM in the U.S., ECVAM in the European Union, and JaCVAM in Japan. The CERI assay has been validated by the U.S. EPA and OECD. Bottled water was spiked with 17β-estradiol (0.04ng/ml), Bisphenol A (0.02mg/ml) and Methoxychlor (0.2mg/ml). Upon analysis, the Alion ER Assay demonstrated: 93 ± 9% recovery of 17β-estradiol, with a detection limit of 0.28 ppt; 75 ± 10% recovery of Bisphenol A, with a detection limit of 0.35 ppt; and 69 ± 24% recovery of Methoxychlor, with a detection limit of 0.15 ppt. The CERI assay demonstrated: 91 ± 35% recovery of 17β-estradiol, with a detection limit of 2.08 ppt; 65 ± 35% recovery of Bisphenol A, with a detection limit of 1.55 ppt; and 97 ± 27% recovery of Methoxychlor, with a detection limit of 1.42ppt. The results clearly indicate that the Alion ER Assay can detect estrogenic endocrine disruptors at or below 1ppt and that the CERI assay can detect estrogenic endocrine disruptors at or below 2ppt in water samples. 2011 © American Water Works Association AWWA WQTC Conference Proceedings All Rights Reserved.
