1. U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Chemicals of Emerging Environmental Concern: The New Pollutants Herb Buxton USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program

2. 2 What are we talking about? and enter the environment in amounts that may be an environmental health concern. Chemicals we use or consume daily at home or at work can be concentrated in the waste stream

3. 3 Human DrugsHuman Drugs Vet. DrugsVet. Drugs AntibioticsAntibiotics HormonesHormones SteroidsSteroids DetergentsDetergents PlasticsPlastics AntioxidantsAntioxidants Fire retardantsFire retardants DisinfectantsDisinfectants FumigantsFumigants FragrancesFragrances Insect RepellantsInsect Repellants Adjuvants/InertsAdjuvants/Inerts Degradation or treatment byproductsDegradation or treatment byproducts Chemicals of Emerging Environmental Concern (ECs)?

4. 4 How important is this? Some elements of potential concern are clear. Some elements of potential concern are clear. Additional research is needed. Additional research is needed. Increased understanding of how we interact with our environment can guide our actions. Increased understanding of how we interact with our environment can guide our actions.

5. 5 Why the sudden interest? Clofibric Acid found in Swiss Lakes and the North Sea. Clofibric Acid (Cholesterol Drug) Mecoprop (Pesticide) Buser, et al, 1998.

6. 6 Stream Recon 99-00 Do ECs enter the Environment? National Stream Reconnaissance (Kolpin, et al., 2002)

7. 7 WWTPWWTP CSOsCSOs ISDSISDS Industrial Disch.Industrial Disch. LandfillsLandfills Water Reuse.Water Reuse. Human Waste Pathways

8. 8 Aquatic and Terrestrial Sources! Aquatic - low levels (ppb) - continual release Terrestrial - higher levels (ppm) - episodic release WWTP

9. 9 Animal Agriculture  Waste lagoons  Land application  Processing  Aquaculture Animal Waste Pathways

10. 10 PBDE’s in Soil near Weathered Outdoor Computer Scrap PBDEs measured in soil and sediment as high as 1500 ppb (PBDE 183)PBDEs measured in soil and sediment as high as 1500 ppb (PBDE 183) Sediment transport to the adjacent stream.Sediment transport to the adjacent stream. (Orazio et al., 2006) (Orazio et al., 2006)

11. 11 National Surveys

12. 12 Don’t look just in the water!

13. 13 What have we learned about CECs?  Present at sub-ppb concentrations in water. - Streams and Groundwater  Present as complex mixtures.  Reflect a wide range of human activities.  Some compounds mobile and persistent.  Present in various environmental media (water, solids, tissue) sampled.

14. 14 Uptake in OrganismsUptake in Organisms Endocrine DisruptionEndocrine Disruption Antibiotic ResistanceAntibiotic Resistance PathogensPathogens Other Ecological EffectsOther Ecological Effects Ecological Concerns

15. 15 Antibiotic Resistance Direct use in orchards. Resistance develops in organisms.Resistance develops in organisms. Environmental transfer of resistance genes.Environmental transfer of resistance genes. Multiple resistance.Multiple resistance. Resistance from non antibiotics.Resistance from non antibiotics. Resistance from chronic low-level exposure?Resistance from chronic low-level exposure? Aquaculture Animal waste lagoons

16. 16 Endocrine Disruption Hormones – The bodies chemical messengers. Endocrine Disruptors – biogenic or synthetic hormones or mimics or blockers that interfere with the message. Observing Effects – Intersex (vitellogenin, cellular abnormalities); behavioral responses; population effects (sex ratios)

17. 17 Stewardship

18. 18 Drug Disposal Whitehouse, Office of National Drug Control Policy – February 2007 Drug Take-back Programs across the Nation http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/

19. 19 Good Practices Chemical labeling provides current information useful for avoiding environmental effects. Chemical labeling provides current information useful for avoiding environmental effects. Equipment wash water disposal Equipment wash water disposal Chemical storage and disposal guidelines. Chemical storage and disposal guidelines. Informed investments can save resources tomorrow. Informed investments can save resources tomorrow.

20. 20 Improved Treatment Informed Decisions Regarding Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment result in wise investments

21. 21 Thank you! toxics.usgs.govhbuxton@usgs.gov