Lynn. L. BergesonBergeson & Campbell, P.C.www.lawbc.com

NCAC SOT: Emerging Issues in Water Contamination

Chemical Pollutants in Water: The Emerging Challenges Stakeholders Face

April 15, 2010

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Old Problems: New Twists

■ Water contamination is not new

■ Certain water contaminants are new, however, and others are new to detection New class of contaminants called organic

micropollutants

Concept is micro “dose”/low dose

Three large groupings

● Endocrine Disruption Compounds (EDCs)

● Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care Products (PCPs)

● Engineered Nanomaterials

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Endocrine Disruption Compounds

■ EDCs are not new, but emphasis on them is relatively recent, and now quite intense under FQPA and SDWA

■ 67 chemicals have been identified by EPA to be in the first group of chemicals to be screened 756 test orders

Sent to 440 companies

■ Second list of 100 chemicals to be screened is expected to be available by October 2010

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Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care Products (PCPs)

■ Contaminants include broad range of pharmaceuticals and PCPs, including veterinary medicines

■ Many typically contain a broad spectrum of substances that represent a range of physico-chemical properties

■ A recent article published by The Royal Society[1] categorized common pharmaceuticals and PCPs by chemical compound classes as follows: acidic pharmaceuticals, including ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and benzafibrate; neutral pharmaceuticals, including antiepileptics, psychiatrics, and lipid regulators; betablockers such as metoprolol, atenolol, sotalol, and salbutamol; iodinated X-ray contrast media, including diatrizoate, iopamidol, and iopromide; and antibiotics such as triclosan, tetracyclines, and penicillins.

[1] Comerton, A., et al. (2009). Practical Overview of Analytical Methods for Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in Water and Wastewater. Phil. Trans. R. Sor. A. 367:3923-3939.

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Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care Products (PCPs) (cont’d)

■ Legislative response -- In 2009, the National Water Research and Development Initiatives Act was passed in the House. It would coordinate federal research and development efforts regarding trace levels of pharmaceuticals/PCPs in drinking water

■ A host of other measures have been introduced, along with state initiatives

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Engineered Nanomaterials

■ Rapid commercialization -- Over 1,000 nano-enabled products in commerce according to Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies

■ Nanoparticles may be released in manufacturing operations, when products are used as intended (sun screen lotions), and upon end of life

■ Intentional application of certain nanomaterials as remedial measures (zero valent nanoscale iron)

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Technical Challenges

■ Detection/Identification

■ Characterization

■ Number of contaminants

■ Treatment

■ Resources

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Thank you

Lynn L. Bergeson

BERGESON & CAMPBELL, P.C.

1203 Nineteenth Street, N.W., Suite 300

Washington, D.C. 20036

lbergeson@lawbc.com

www.lawbc.com

THE ACTA GROUP, L.L.C.

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