Different techniques for the removal of endocrine-disrupting compounds in aquatic systems

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) can harm human health and the environment by interfering with the endocrine system’s normal function. Their persistence in aquatic environments is mostly attributed to insufficient removal by traditional water and wastewater treatment. Due to the fact that these compounds are not entirely eliminated during treatment, their existence is frequently brought about by municipal wastewater discharge. Different routes, such as wastewater discharge and the release of pesticide residues from agricultural activities, might allow EDCs to enter the aquatic environment. Humans could be exposed through contaminated water or seafood intake, while fish and other species could be directly exposed. Researchers have developed alternative treatment techniques because it appears that the traditional treatment approaches have failed to eliminate the persistent EDC contaminants. There is still a dearth of thorough information on the recent developments in the revolutionary treatment techniques that are currently in use and their unique limitations. In this context, various EDC elimination treatments are examined critically and presented in this work. EDCs can be eliminated via a variety of approaches, including physical, chemical, and biological ones. Adsorption and catalytic degradation are two of the treatment approaches’ most obvious advancements. This work discusses the environmental occurrence of EDCs and their potential consequences on human health with a major focus on the removal of these hazardous compounds. Each technique’s benefits and drawbacks are discussed, and its potency in eliminating various kinds of EDCs is assessed. According to the study’s findings, it is crucial to get rid of EDCs in order to safeguard both human health and the environment, and a variety of removal techniques should be used to do so. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.