Water Treatment Systems Unable to Remove Estrogen from Drinking Water

[ensho]

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2300573/estrogen_levels_in_water_alarm_scientists.html?cat=58


Estrogen Levels in Water Alarm Scientists


-snip-

The most damning evidence of the impact of estrogens in water was found in male fish swimming downstream from estrogen-containing water sources. In 2004, in Colorado, male fish were found to have both male and female sexual characteristics, such as partially developed ova, or eggs, in their testes. Fish damaged in this way have been found in the United States, Great Britain, Italy and other countries. This sex-related damage to fish may not be significant but researchers suggest that it's a warning of potential dangers to humans. Estrogens in drinking water may affect male fertility by interfering with sperm production. Links between environmental estrogenic compounds and several kinds of cancer, especially breast and testicular cancer, also have been suggested.

-snip of trying to find ways to get rid of the estrogen in water-
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'alarm' is too weak a word

[kirby]

1. Old news...

I was initially going to respond that this has been known for quite some time and was curious why this article was coming out now? Then I say that the article you link to is from Oct 18 2009.

[snot]

2. Unless the problem's been fixed, it's news worth repeating.

[FLPanhandle]

3. Are Estrogen supplements needed?

If they have such a detrimental side effect on the environment and health, why are they still in use?

[crikkett]

5. the estrogen mimics in the household chemicals we use should be considered

so it's not a matter of getting down on women or hormone therapies for women.

[crikkett]

6. also: pesticides and fertilizers

[pipi_k]

8. Several things...

I guess Estrogen is one of the things that protects women from heart disease, whose risk rises for women after Menopause, so yes...in some cases it would be necessary.

Also, Estrogen is present in birth control pills.

Not sure if, or how much, Estrogen might be washed out in a woman's urine, but there would also be the issue of how medical providers get rid of old/unwanted medications.

They tend to flush it. If a city has a treatment plant, lots of stuff might be removed, but Estrogen would be rather difficult.


In any event, I'm glad I live in a rural area where the only "extra" in my water is deer poo :7

[femrap]

4. This news will be used

to Stop Birth Control Pills. Just watch.

[crikkett]

7. you capitalize it like it's a slogan

off a poster or something.