Towards regulation of Endocrine Disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water resources using bioassays - A guide to developing a testing strategy

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in every environmental medium and are chemically diverse. Their presence in water resources can negatively impact the health of both human and wildlife. Currently, there are no mandatory screening mandates or regulations for EDC levels in complex water samples globally. Bioassays, which allow quantifying in vivo or in vitro biological effects of chemicals are used commonly to assess acute toxicity in water. The existing OECD framework to identify single-compound EDCs offers a set of bioassays that are validated for the Estrogen-, Androgen-, and Thyroid hormones, and for Steroidogenesis pathways (EATS). In this review, we discussed bioassays that could be potentially used to screen EDCs in water resources, including in vivo and in vitro bioassays using invertebrates, fish, amphibians, and/or mammalians species. Strengths and weaknesses of samples preparation for complex water samples are discussed. We also review how to calculate the Effect-Based Trigger values, which could serve as thresholds to determine if a given water sample poses a risk based on existing quality standards. This work aims to assist governments and regulatory agencies in developing a testing strategy towards regulation of EDCs in water resources worldwide. The main recommendations include 1) opting for internationally validated cell reporter in vitro bioassays to reduce animal use & cost; 2) testing for cell viability (a critical parameter) when using in vitro bioassays; and 3) evaluating the recovery of the water sample preparation method selected. This review also highlights future research avenues for the EDC screening revolution (e.g., 3D tissue culture, transgenic animals, OMICs, and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs)).This work was supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies (FRQNT-290501) to JR, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada (NSERC-DG-2020-06475), and Canada Research Chairs to VSL (CRC-950-232235). LNM was supported by a H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action MSCA-IF-RI- 2017 awarded by the European Commission (ref. 797725-EpiSTOX). The authors are grateful to the Intersectorial Centre for Endocrine Disruptor Analysis (ICEDA)'s researcher network that facilitated this Special Issue. We thank Peta Neale that compiled references from the literature for EBT value that can be found in Table 3.Peer reviewe

Occurrence of legacy and replacement plasticizers, bisphenols, and flame retardants in potable water in Montreal and South Africa

The occurrence of thirty-nine contaminants including plasticizers, bisphenols, and flame retardants in potable water from Montreal and South Africa was analyzed to determine their presence and concentrations in different water sources. In Montreal, five bottled water (BW) brands and three drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) were included. In South Africa, water was sampled from one urban DWTP located in Pretoria, Gauteng, and one rural DWTP located in Vhembe, along with water from the same rural DWTP which had been stored in small and large plastic containers. A combination of legacy compounds, typically with proven toxic effects, and replacement compounds was investigated. Bisphenols, Dechlorane-602, Dechlorane-603, and s-dechlorane plus (s-DP) were not detected in any water samples, and a-dechlorane plus (a-DP) was only detected in one sample from Pretoria at a concentration of 1.09 ng/L. Lower brominated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)s were detected more frequently than higher brominated PBDEs, always at low concentrations of <2 ng/L, and total PBDE levels were statistically higher in South Africa than in Montreal. Replacement flame retardants, organophosphate esters (OPEs), were detected at statistically higher concentrations in Montreal's BW (68.56 ng/L), drinking water (DW) (421.45 ng/L) and Vhembe (198.33 ng/L) than legacy PBDEs. Total OPE concentrations did not demonstrate any geographical trend; however, levels were statistically higher in Montreal's DW than Montreal's BW. Plasticizers were frequently detected in all samples, with legacy compounds DEHP, DBP, and replacement DINCH being detected in 100 % of samples with average concentrations ranging from 6.89 ng/L for DEHP in Pretoria to 175.04 ng/L for DINCH in Montreal's DW. Total plasticizer concentrations were higher in Montreal than in South Africa. The replacement plasticizers (DINCH, DINP, DIDA, and DEHA) were detected at similar frequencies and concentrations as legacy plasticizers (DEHP, DEP, DBP, MEHP). For the compounds reported in earlier studies, the concentrations detected in the present study were similar to other locations. These compounds are not currently regulated in drinking water but their frequent detection, especially OPEs and plasticizers, and the presence of replacement compounds at similar or higher levels than their legacy compounds demonstrate the importance of further investigating the prevalence and the ecological or human health effects of these compounds.The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund grant,http://www.elsevier.com/locate/scitotenvhj2023School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Comparative measurement and quantitative risk assessment of alcohol consumption through wastewater-based epidemiology: An international study in 20 cities

Quantitative measurement of drug consumption biomarkers in wastewater can provide objective information on community drug use patterns and trends. This study presents the measurement of alcohol consumption in 20 cities across 11 countries through the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), and reports the application of these data for the risk assessment of alcohol on a population scale using the margin of exposure (MOE) approach. Raw 24-h composite wastewater samples were collected over a one-week period from 20 cities following a common protocol. For each sample a specific and stable alcohol consumption biomarker, ethyl sulfate (EtS) was determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The EtS concentrations were used for estimation of per capita alcohol consumption in each city, which was further compared with international reports and applied for risk assessment by MOE. The average per capita consumption in 20 cities ranged between 6.4 and 44.3. L/day/1000 inhabitants. An increase in alcohol consumption during the weekend occurred in all cities, however the level of this increase was found to differ. In contrast to conventional data (sales statistics and interviews), WBE revealed geographical differences in the level and pattern of actual alcohol consumption at an inter-city level. All the sampled cities were in the "high risk" category (MOE

Three years of wastewater surveillance for new psychoactive substances from 16 countries

The proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) over recent years has made their surveillance complex. The analysis of raw municipal influent wastewater can allow a broader insight into community consumption patterns of NPS. This study examines data from an international wastewater surveillance program that collected and analysed influent wastewater samples from up to 47 sites in 16 countries between 2019 and 2022. Influent wastewater samples were collected over the New Year period and analysed using validated liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry methods. Over the three years, a total of 18 NPS were found in at least one site. Synthetic cathinones were the most found class followed by phenethylamines and designer benzodiazepines. Furthermore, two ketamine analogues, one plant based NPS (mitragynine) and methiopropamine were also quantified across the three years. This work demonstrates that NPS are used across different continents and countries with the use of some more evident in particular regions. For example, mitragynine has highest mass loads in sites in the United States, while eutylone and 3-methylmethcathinone increased considerably in New Zealand and in several European countries, respectively. Moreover, 2F-deschloroketamine, an analogue of ketamine, has emerged more recently and could be quantified in several sites, including one in China, where it is considered as one of the drugs of most concern. Finally, some NPS were detected in specific regions during the initial sampling campaigns and spread to additional sites by the third campaign. Hence, wastewater surveillance can provide an insight into temporal and spatial trends of NPS use

Étude du traitement thermique par plasma submergé d'une solution caustique du type liqueur noire

Ce projet est une étude thermodynamique et cinétique du comportement d'une solution caustique de type liqueur noire dans un traitement thermique et une analyse du potentiel d'une technologie novatrice, centrée sur la technologie du plasma submergé, visant le désengorgement des chaudières de récupération des usines de pâtes et papiers. L'étude est motivée par une revue démontrant un besoin tangible d'une alternative au traitement de la liqueur noire dans les chaudières de récupération classiques. L'aspect fondamental de l'étude comporte une analyse thermodynamique de solution réelle par l'approche de Pitzer ainsi qu'une analyse de cinétique globale et de cinétique par une approche novatrice de facteur de sévérité. L'analyse expérimentale et la validation des prédictions théoriques sont basées sur les résultats d'essais d'un plan expérimental factoriel 2[indice supérieur 4] partiel et de plans paramétriques. L'analyse thermodynamique de solution réelle démontre l'appréciation de la qualité des estimés comparativement à l'approche de solution idéale et offre un outil d'analyse fonctionnel pour les travaux futurs. L'analyse cinétique démontre la pertinence, pour ce système réactionnel complexe, de l'analyse phénoménologique par facteur de sévérité plutôt que l'analyse traditionnelle d'Arrhenius. L'analyse expérimentale indique que la décomposition de la lignine atteint 50% malgré la température globale de 145[degrés]C et que les sous-produits de dégradation des composés organiques sont l'acide acétique et les oxalates. Les résultats expérimentaux indiquent également que l'utilisation d'un gaz plasmagène oxydant permet d'atteindre une décomposition des composés organiques supérieure à 45%, influence la cinétique de la décomposition de l'acide formique et influence le comportement du soufre. L'analyse statistique démontre que le catalyseur influence la cinétique apparente de la décomposition de l'acide formique, le niveau de décomposition des composés organiques ainsi que les paramètres de cinétique par facteur de sévérité de l'oxydation du soufre. La concentration en composés organiques et en Na[indice inférieur 2]S n'ont pas d'influence significative. La poursuite des travaux nécessite l'acquisition d'équipements de caractérisation, l'élaboration de plans expérimentaux et l'étude de l'intégration de cette nouvelle technologie dans le cycle de récupération de la liqueur noire

Étude du traitement de déchets liquides par plasma inductif

Ce mémoire présente les résultats d'une étude préliminaire visant à démontrer le potentiel de la technologie des plasmas inductifs dans le traitement de déchets liquides. Étant donné que des études quantitatives sur différents systèmes réactionnels des plasmas sont peu disponibles, l'étude s'élabore à l'aide d'une molécule substitut soit, l'éthylène glycol. Ce composé, peu visqueux, à faible tension de vapeur et faible coût, soluble dans l'eau, et non toxique a permis d'obtenir l'information recherchée sans risque. Avant d'entreprendre l'analyse expérimentale, l'étude thermodynamique permet de démontrer que les produits de décomposition de l'éthylène glycol, dans les conditions du plasma, sont le CO₂ et H₂O. Ces calculs théoriques démontre également l'importance d'alimenter de l'eau dans le système réactionnel en présence de composés halogénés. Des essais préliminaires démontrent l'importance de l'atomisation dans le traitement de déchets liquides. Une part importante des travaux est donc consacrée à la conception et à la caractérisation d'un atomiseur adapté aux sondes d'injection utilisées dans les torches à plasma. L'atomiseur conçu est de type fluide conjoint vu la qualité d'atomisation produite, la qualité de mélange des réactifs, sa simplicité, son faible coût et sa facilité d'adaptation aux sondes disponibles. La taille des gouttelettes produites n'a pas pu être mesurée expérimentalement mais une équation empirique a permis de prédire une taille moyenne de l'ordre de 190 micromètres. La conception d'un montage expérimental adapté aux contraintes de l'étude ainsi que l'utilisation d'un spectromètre de masse et d'un chromatographe en phase gazeuse permet de produire les bilans massiques et énergétiques nécessaires à l'analyse des résultats. Cette étude confirme donc dans un premier temps que l'augmentation de puissance favorise la DRE, alors que l'augmentation du débit et de la pression la réduisent. L'augmentation de pression diminue également les efficacités de torche et globale. De plus, l'analyse de la variation de la décomposition en fonction du débit, pour une même puissance, indique que la limite du pourcentage utile de la puissance «plate» est d'environ 5%. 0n constate finalement, que l'énergie de réaction est récupérable à un taux de 94%. Ces résultats indiquent donc que la technologie des plasmas inductifs est avantageuse et que l'étude de l'atomisation doit occuper une place importante dans la poursuite de ce projet

Étude du traitement thermique par plasma submergé d'une solution caustique du type liqueur noire

Ce projet est une étude thermodynamique et cinétique du comportement d'une solution caustique de type liqueur noire dans un traitement thermique et une analyse du potentiel d'une technologie novatrice, centrée sur la technologie du plasma submergé, visant le désengorgement des chaudières de récupération des usines de pâtes et papiers. L'étude est motivée par une revue démontrant un besoin tangible d'une alternative au traitement de la liqueur noire dans les chaudières de récupération classiques. L'aspect fondamental de l'étude comporte une analyse thermodynamique de solution réelle par l'approche de Pitzer ainsi qu'une analyse de cinétique globale et de cinétique par une approche novatrice de facteur de sévérité. L'analyse expérimentale et la validation des prédictions théoriques sont basées sur les résultats d'essais d'un plan expérimental factoriel 2[indice supérieur 4] partiel et de plans paramétriques. L'analyse thermodynamique de solution réelle démontre l'appréciation de la qualité des estimés comparativement à l'approche de solution idéale et offre un outil d'analyse fonctionnel pour les travaux futurs. L'analyse cinétique démontre la pertinence, pour ce système réactionnel complexe, de l'analyse phénoménologique par facteur de sévérité plutôt que l'analyse traditionnelle d'Arrhenius. L'analyse expérimentale indique que la décomposition de la lignine atteint 50% malgré la température globale de 145[degrés]C et que les sous-produits de dégradation des composés organiques sont l'acide acétique et les oxalates. Les résultats expérimentaux indiquent également que l'utilisation d'un gaz plasmagène oxydant permet d'atteindre une décomposition des composés organiques supérieure à 45%, influence la cinétique de la décomposition de l'acide formique et influence le comportement du soufre. L'analyse statistique démontre que le catalyseur influence la cinétique apparente de la décomposition de l'acide formique, le niveau de décomposition des composés organiques ainsi que les paramètres de cinétique par facteur de sévérité de l'oxydation du soufre. La concentration en composés organiques et en Na[indice inférieur 2]S n'ont pas d'influence significative. La poursuite des travaux nécessite l'acquisition d'équipements de caractérisation, l'élaboration de plans expérimentaux et l'étude de l'intégration de cette nouvelle technologie dans le cycle de récupération de la liqueur noire

Biohydrogen and Bioethanol Production from Biodiesel-Based Glycerol by Enterobacter aerogenes in a Continuous Stir Tank Reactor

Crude glycerol from the biodiesel manufacturing process is being produced in increasing quantities due to the expanding number of biodiesel plants. It has been previously shown that, in batch mode, semi-anaerobic fermentation of crude glycerol by Enterobacter aerogenes can produce biohydrogen and bioethanol simultaneously. The present study demonstrated the possible scaling-up of this process from small batches performed in small bottles to a 3.6-L continuous stir tank reactor (CSTR). Fresh feed rate, liquid recycling, pH, mixing speed, glycerol concentration, and waste recycling were optimized for biohydrogen and bioethanol production. Results confirmed that E. aerogenes uses small amounts of oxygen under semi-anaerobic conditions for growth before using oxygen from decomposable salts, mainly NH4NO3, under anaerobic condition to produce hydrogen and ethanol. The optimal conditions were determined to be 500 rpm, pH 6.4, 18.5 g/L crude glycerol (15 g/L glycerol) and 33% liquid recycling for a fresh feed rate of 0.44 mL/min. Using these optimized conditions, the process ran at a lower media cost than previous studies, was stable after 7 days without further inoculation and resulted in yields of 0.86 mol H2/mol glycerol and 0.75 mol ethanol/mole glycerol

Biodegradation of sulfamethoxazole: current knowledge and perspectives

Antibiotic compounds, like sulfamethoxazole (SMX), have become a concern in the aquatic environment due to the potential development of antibacterial resistances. Due to extensive consumption, excretion and disposal, SMX has been frequently detected in wastewaters and surface waters. This has led to numerous studies investigating the nature of SMX, with many researchers focusing on the biodegradation and persistence of SMX during wastewater treatment and in the environment. This review provides a summary of recent developments, outlines the discrepancies in observations and results, and demonstrates the need for further research to determine optimal biological removal strategies for SMX and other antibiotics

Chemical oxidation of ibuprofen in the presence of iron species at near neutral pH.

International audienceThe objective of this work was to evaluate the removal of ibuprofen (IBP) using the oxidants hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and sodium persulfate (Na(2)S(2)O(8)). The ability of magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) to activate persulfate (PS) and H(2)O(2) for the oxidation of IBP at near neutral pH was evaluated as well. The use of soluble Fe(2+) to activate H(2)O(2) and Na(2)S(2)O(8) was also investigated. H(2)O(2) and Na(2)S(2)O(8) were inactive during the sixty-minute experiments when used alone. However, activation using Fe(2+) increased the removal to 95% in the presence of H(2)O(2) (Fenton reaction) and 63% in the presence of Na(2)S(2)O(8) at pH 6.6. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was also greater for Fenton oxidation (65%) than for iron-activated PS oxidation (25%). Activation of H(2)O(2) and PS by Fe(3)O(4) was only observed at a high oxidant concentration and over 48 h of reaction time. A second order rate kinetic constant was determined for H(2)O(2) (3.0∗10(-3) M(-1) s(-1)) and Na(2)S(2)O(8) (1.59∗10(-3) M(-1) s(-1)) in the presence of Fe(3)O(4). Finally, several of the degradation products formed during oxidation of IBP in the presence of H(2)O(2) and Na(2)S(2)O(8) (activated by Fe(2+)) were identified. These include oxalic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, 4-acetylbenzoic acid, 4-isobutylacetophenone (4-IBAP) and oxo-ibuprofen