![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Chemical Analyses of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) in an Aquatic Environment
Objective:
To develop chemical methods to characterize and quantify EDCs in waters, sediments and aquatic life.
Approach:
Preliminary research has shown that a high pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with an electrochemical array detector (CoulArray) can detect some forms of EDCs at environmentally low concentrations (e.g., 50 pg on column). Our approach will be to optimize the detector conditions for maximum sensitivity; optimize the column conditions for resolution of EDCs from other compounds, and to optimize an extraction method for EDCs from waters, sediment and aquatic life.
Why This Research Is Needed:
Chemical information (presence and concentration level of EDCs) combined with molecular tools for gene expression will allow States and local Government agencies to assess the exposures of aquatic life to EDCs and to evaluate their impact at these levels.
EERD Experience:
Currently, EERD/NERL/Cincinnati has developed the HPLC column and mobile phase parameters, the solid phase extraction (SPE) column and eluent parameters and has performed analyses on some real world stream and lake samples for three natural occurrring hormonal EDCs: estronel (E1), beta-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3); two synthetic EDCs: ethynyl estradiol (EE2) and diethylstilbestrol (DES); and two EDC mimic compounds: bisphenol A (BPA), a plasticizer, and BHA (synthetic anti-oxidant). Further work on the application to fresh, real-world samples is planned before publication.
Expected Outputs/Outcomes:
- Provision of new method and technical assistance for analyses of EDCs using HPLC-electrochemical array detector with solid phase extraction techniques.
- Reports on the occurrence of EDCs in waters, sediment and aquatic life which can be used to assess the risk to the environment.
Contact: Jelena Dacres (dacres.jelena@epa.gov), Daniel F. Bender (bender.dan@epa.gov) (Cincinnati, OH)