Project Number:
WR04R004
Funding Year:
2004
Contract Period:
7/1/2004 - 6/30/2006
Funding Source:
UWS, USGS
Investigator(s):
PIs:- William Sonzogni, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
- Jocelyn Hemming, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
- Miel Barman, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
- Steven Geis, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Abstract:
Background:
Concern has emerged about a group of trace organic compounds identified in the aquatic environment which might affect reproduction and development of wildlife species and humans due to endocrine disruption (Colborn et al., 1996; Roefer et al., 2000). Studies in recent years have documented a high occurrence of these endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in aquatic ecosystems which may have serious implications for groundwater quality (e.g., Kolpin et al., 2002). As the hydraulic demand on groundwater supplies increases, resulting in greater groundwater draw downs, the potential for EDC contaminated surface water input to groundwater increases, especially in areas where high capacity wells are located near surface waters. An additional route for entrance of EDCs into groundwater is through the leaching of septic system effluents. Areas such as non-sewered subdivisions may have an increased susceptibility to contamination of the groundwater by EDCs.
Compounds with endocrine disrupting activity include both anthropogenic chemicals produced industrially (such as surface active agents, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), plasticizers, food additives, birth control pills, herbal supplements and cosmetics) and natural occurring compounds (such as sex steroids, plant-produced estrogens and heavy metals) (National Research Council, 1999). EDCs are used in large quantities by consumers and industry. Domestic and industrial wastewater and agricultural run-off are recognized as the major sources of EDCs. Due to their physical-chemical properties and partial resistance to biotransformation, EDCs have been detected not only in wastewater effluents, but also at low concentrations in surface and groundwaters used as a source for water supply, and at very low concentrations in tap water samples (Stumpf et al., 1996; Ternes, 1999; Baronti et al., 2000).
Objectives:
- To test high capacity municipal water supply wells located near surface waters impacted by industrial and municipal effluents will be tested for estrogenic EDCs.
- To sample wells constructed to monitor groundwater close to non-conventional small scale on site waste disposal systems will be tested.
- The breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) assay (E-screen) will be used to evaluate groundwater samples and septic samples for estrogenic activity.