An Engineering Approach to Abatement of Estrogenic EDCs in Wastewater
Paul McCauley

Who is involved?
Paul McCauley Chemist U.S. EPA
Greg Sayles Chemical Engineer U.S. EPA 
Barry Austern Chemist U.S. EPA
Marc Mills Environmental Engineer U.S. EPA
Carolyn Acheson Chemical Engineer U.S. EPA
Eric Kleiner Environmental Engineer U.S. EPA
Richard Brenner Environmental Engineer U.S. EPA
James Lazorchak Ecotoxicologist U.S. EPA
Alan Zaffiro Analytical Chemist IT Corporation
George Sorial Chemical Engineer University of Cincinnati
Mar Esperanza Chemical Engineer University of Cincinnati
Cindy Boardman Biologist University of Cincinnati 
Makram Suidan Environmental Engineer University of Cincinnati

The Problem
.. Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) Discharges appear to have Estrogenic Effects on 
Several Species of Fish
.. This effect appears to be mediated through the estrogen receptor
.. Compounds Suspected of these Estrogenic effects include Estrogens and there metabolites and 
Alkylphenols, there ethoxylates and metabolites 

Estrogens and Androgens
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444

Alkylphenols
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444

Long Term Objectives
1. To determine the fate of Estrogenic EDCs (including Estrogens, there metabolites; 
Alkylphenols, there ethoxylate esters and metabolites) during wastewater treatment
2. To fashion an engineering solution to Estrogenic EDC discharge in wastewater 
and sludge.

Basic Approach
.. Develop assays for the suspect agents
.. Construct pilot scale wastewater treatment systems to model metabolic pathways.
.. Assay samples from selected and representative POTWs to determine if the pilot scale system is modeling POTWs
.. Optimize pilot scale wastewater treatment systems for treating estrogenic EDCs
.. Make recommendations for improving EDC treatment in POTWs

The Proposed Assays 
.. Steroid analysis using solid phase extraction and GC/mass spectrometry
.. Nonylphenol ethoxylate analysis using solid phase extraction and normal phase HPLC.
.. Fathead minnow using estrogen receptor mediated induction of vitellogenin by measuring messenger RNA assay (NRML)
.. Recombinant Yeast assay

Steroid Analysis
.. Liquid and Solid fractions shall be separated and analyzed separately.
.. Solids shall be extracted
.. All fractions will then be concentrated using solid phase extraction (SPE) Extracts from the SPE will be derivatized and analyzed by GC Mass Spectrometry
.. Goals for detection thresholds is 1 ng/L for each steroid. 

Nonylphenol Ethoxylate Analysis
.. Liquid and Solid fractions shall be separated and analyzed separately
.. Solids shall be extracted
.. All fractions will then be concentrated using solid phase extraction (SPE) Extracts from the SPE will be analyzed by normal phase HPLC
.. Goals for detection thresholds is 50 ng/L for each alkylphenol ethoxylates

Messenger RNA Assay
Supply samples to NERL for mRNA (vitellogenin) induction analysis in Fathead Minnow

Recombinant Yeast Assay
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444

Pilot scale wastewater treatment systems
..EDC Pilot Plant with Aerobic Sludge digestion
..EDC Pilot Plant with Anaerobic Sludge digestion

SLUDGE EDC PILOT PLANT FLOW SHEET WITH AEROBIC SLUDGE DIGESTION ANAEROBIC
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444

SLUDGE EDC PILOT PLANT FLOW SHEET WITH ANAEROBIC SLUDGE DIGESTIONDIGESTED
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444

SLUDGE EDC PILOT PLANT FLOW SHEET WITH AEROBIC SLUDGE DIGESTION ANAEROBIC
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444


EDC Pilot Plant (image)

Aerobic Tanks (image)

Secondary Clarifier (image)

Anaerobic Digester (image)

Make recommendations to Improve Treatment of Estrogenic EDCs
..Analyze results of pilot scale systems and modified pilot systems
..Compare results to field results (POTWs)
..Report the generated data and make final recommendations for improved Estrogenic EDC removal. Published as either a journal article or EPA report

Alkylphenols and Ethoxylates
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444

Metabolic fate of Alkylphenolics
Chart Contact at Paul McCauley at mccauley.paul@epa.gov or call (513) 569-7444