A broad spectrum analytical scheme for the screening of endocrine disruptors (EDs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products in wastewaters and natural waters.

This paper describes the implementation of a broad-spectrum analytical scheme which was used at three wastewater plants for the screening of organic micropollutants. The more than 200 compounds identified comprised a variety of endocrine disrupters, pharmaceutical compounds and personal care products. Glycol ethers which have well established effects on the development of the embryo were outstanding in all plants investigated. The first plant, which was investigated at various stages of treatment, was quite efficient at removing undesirable compounds. The second plant, which received 50% of effluents from pharmaceutical industries, released low but significant levels of drugs. An antibiotic, cyclamidomycine, was identified in the effluent from the third plant.