The role of endocrine disrupters in water recycling: risk or mania?
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Date
2004Author
Nghiem, L.D.
McCutcheon, J.
Schäfer, Andrea
Elimelech, M.
Metadata
Abstract
The widespread occurrence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as steroid
hormones, in secondary wastewater effluents has become a major concern in the water recycling
practice. This paper investigates the risk of steroid hormone breakthrough during nanofiltration
membrane filtration in water recycling applications. The results indicate a dynamic equilibrium
between adsorption and desorption of steroid hormone with regard to the membrane. This
equilibrium can be pH dependent and there is a possibility for release of steroid hormones at high
pH during membrane cleaning procedures or erratic pH variations. Increase in water recovery can
severely increase the hormone breakthrough concentration. The results also indicate a possibility of
accumulation of steroid hormones in the NF membrane, followed by subsequent release.