Microconstituents What s new?

Transcription

1 Microconstituents What s new? 23 rd Annual Lab Practices Conference Charlottesville, VA July 25 th, 2017 Deborah DeBiasi Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

2 What are microconstituents? Natural and manmade substances in environment Human and Veterinary drugs prescription and OTC (Over The Counter) drugs Pet products and supplements Food Supplements nutraceuticals, caffeine, nicotine, fragrances Sun-screen agents Lotions, shampoos, soaps, deodorants, toothpaste Cosmetics Fire Retardants PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers (penta, octa, deca), Organophosphate substitutions Industrial Chemicals bisphenol A, phthalates Pesticides bactericides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides

3 Names for this topic Microconstituents (WEF -Water Environment Federation) CPC PC - EC - CEC- Compounds of Potential Concern Pollutants of Concern Emerging Contaminants - USGS Contaminants of Emerging Concern (AWRA- American Water Resources Assoc, EPA) PPCP Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (name coined by Dr. Christian Daughton, EPA in 1999)

4 Endocrine Disrupting Compounds An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic chemical that either mimics or blocks hormones and disrupts the body's normal functions when absorbed into the body. : Natural products in environment (oak tree leaves, other decaying matter), Household cleaners, Personal Care Products, Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Processed foods, Plants (contain natural compounds called phytoestrogens), Plastics, Industrial chemicals, Animal and veterinary sources, Air deposits of fire retardants, etc. - Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) List of EDCs approx 10,000 chemicals Some products will contain this statement (or something similar) on the label, Do not use if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or Do not expose children under 5 years of age which could indicate the product contains EDCs

5 Endocrine System Glands that produce and secrete hormones Hormones regulate growth, metabolism, sexual development and function Pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pineal body, reproductive glands, pancreas

6 How do Pharmaceuticals get into the Environment? Purposeful disposal to sink or toilet Both public sewer systems and septic systems (pumped and hauled) end up at wastewater treatment plants Purposeful disposal to trash Showering/bathing/washing hands of medications applied externally Pass-through of medications into urine containing % of ingested medications

7 How to reduce the amount of pharmaceuticals in the environment Education of public to dispose of medications properly Take unused/unwanted medications to Drug Take Back events for disposal, or dispose of in an authorized collection box. Remove your identification information and address from the container. Collected drugs are ultimately incinerated. Trash disposal: English Spanish German Chinese on/microconstituents.aspx Where possible, reduce the amount of medications and nutraceuticals (dietary supplements) ingested Only take medications that are appropriate for the illness/condition Do not take medications longer than necessary or as directed Have your doctor review all of the medications and supplements that you take to make sure combinations won t be a problem

8 Drug Disposal Options Saturday, October 28 th 10 am 2 pm Drug collection boxes are available at participating police stations and many pharmacies

9 1,000, , , , , , ,000.0 Total pounds collected to date Nationally 8,103,363 Virginia 251, ,000.0 National 200, ,000.0 ADJ VA (Times 30)

10 FDA Guidance on Drug Disposal In 2007, the FDA advised that 13 drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash In January 2012, the FDA advised that 32 drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash In November 2013, the FDA advised that 36 drugs be flushed instead of trashed In April 2016, the FDA advised that 45 drugs be flushed instead of thrown in the trash From Don McLean s song Vincent They would not listen, they're not listening still. Perhaps they never will

11 Virginia Guidance PLEASE do NOT DISPOSE of ANY MEDICATIONS by FLUSHING or washing down the sink! Don t take the chance that it could end up in your drinking water!

12 The circle of microconstituents 7. Clean water back to you 3. Biosolids to farmland or landfill 1.Sewage to WW Treatment plant 4. Leachate or garbage juice to WW Treatment plant 6. Wastewater discharge 2. Treated effluent to river 5. Water intake for Water Treatment Plant

13 Why don t Treatment Plants remove microconstituents? Water Treatment Plant All Treatment Plants have steps 1, 2 and 5. Most Treatment Plants have steps 1, 2, 3 and 5 Many are adding step 4 to remove nutrients, which helps remove estrogenic compounds 13

14 What is the contribution from septic systems? Septic systems are a major source of emerging contaminants in drinking water June 26, 2017 Well Casing Can do a decent job removing acetaminophen, caffeine, and alkyphenols (in cleaning products) Less effective removing TCEP (carcinogenic flame retardant), carbamazepine, and antibiotic sulfamethoxazone Contaminants can get into groundwater, which may be source of drinking water for household Users need to avoid household products with harmful ingredients

15 What is your contribution from personal care products (PCPs)? In 2007, the average person used 9 PPCPs a day. Most recent number is 15 PPCPs per person per day. PPCPs include lotions, powders, soaps, gels, colognes, sprays, toothpaste, make-up, medication, etc. Read the list of ingredients remember: EVERYTHING GOES SOMEWHERE! Do you need to use all of them? Can you substitute something less toxic to the environment? Can you reduce the antibacterial products (triclosan) you use and stay healthy?

16 Do we need all the drugs and supplements that we take? Pill to sleep Pill to stay awake Pill to give energy Pill to calm down Pill to lose weight Pill to gain weight Pill to stop reproduction Pill to encourage fertility Pill for pain Pill for ulcer from pain pill Supplements and vitamins Would changes in diet, habits, physique help instead of another pill?

17 Microconstituents are everywhere ALL municipal sewage, regardless of location, will contain microconstituents. Issue is not unique to any particular municipal area. Each geographic area will differ only with respect to the types, quantities, and relative abundances of individual contaminants. Microconstituents can be incurred by air deposits as well as by water. Microconstituents are being found in all tested waterways, and are usually present in drinking tap water and bottled water. Present does not mean they are harmful.

18 Antibacterial Soaps Often contain triclosan (liquid soaps) and triclocarban (bar soaps) synthetic anti-microbial agent and EPA registered pesticide Not any more effective than soap and water for washing hands By Sept , soaps with triclosan and triclocarban for home use should be removed from shelves Use in health care allowed but discouraged Most triclosan passes through wastewater treatment plants or ends up in the sludge - very persistent and toxic to marine life. May contribute to development of mutant bacteria that are antibiotic resistant. Discourage use in residential and public areas where possible.

19 Bis-Phenol A, or BPA Used in clear, hard plastics (polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins) since All 3 s Some 7 s Has weak but detectable hormone-like properties Some states looking at laws to prohibit BPA from being used in baby bottles and products. Some manufacturers making substitutions now. Removal of BPA for food and drink applications is difficult. Replacement product must be corrosion resistant, withstand high temps used for sterilization and processing, and be chemically compatible with foods, and not add odor or taste. Reduce exposure by using glass baby bottles, stainless water bottles, food products not in cans.

20 Products with Bisphenol-A

21 BPA update Banned from use in baby bottles and sippy cups, but Substituted with BPS (bisphenol-s) or BHPF (Fluorene-9-bisphenol) Public Health term: Regrettable substitution replacement of one harmful chemical by another possibly equally or more harmful chemical BPA still in use Ruled safe for use in food packaging by FDA in 2014

22 Reduce Exposure to BPA Eat Fewer Canned Foods Choose Cardboard and Glass Containers Over Cans Don't Microwave Polycarbonate Plastic Food Containers Choose Plastic or Glass Bottles for Beverages Use Baby Bottles That Are BPA-Free Use Powdered Infant Formula Instead of Pre-mixed Liquid Practice Moderation to reduce exposure

23 Phthalates Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in: soft plastic toys for babies, adults, pets vinyl flooring and wall covering new car smell detergents lubricating oils food packaging pharmaceuticals blood bags and tubing in about 75% of personal care products such as cosmetics, fragrances, nail polish, hair sprays, soaps, and shampoos.

24 Problems with Phthalates Alters development of reproductive tract, mostly with males can cause deformity and affect fertility possible carcinogen Correlation of higher levels of phthalates with cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and high blood pressure for males DEHP - diethylhexyl phthalate is a plasticizer used to soften PVC (EU prohibits DEHP at levels greater than 0.1% by weight) Used in IV bags, tubing, blood collection machines Blood bags with DEHP should not be used with infants or children with compromised immunities FDA urges alternatives, like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) bags which are available except for packed red blood cells Virginia Blood Supply still uses DEHP equipment Red Cross is buying some DEHP-free equipment with attrition For DEHP free equipment sources

25 Phthalate reduction by Target Target has pledged to list all ingredients in all owned and national brand products by 2020; will formulate beauty, baby care, personal care and household cleaning products without phthalates, propylparaben, butylparaben, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-donors or nonylphenol ethoxylates by the same time; will produce textiles without adding perfluorinated chemicals or flame retardants that are potential carcinogens or pose harm to guests, workers or communities by 2022; and will leverage its size and scale to work with vendors make both products and operations greener.

26 Phthalate reduction by CVS CVS Pharmacy announced it will remove parabens, phthalates and the most prevalent formaldehyde donors across nearly 600 beauty and personal care products from its store brand CVS Health, Beauty 360, Essence of Beauty, and Blade product lines by the end of The Promise Organic line of store brand products also does not contain any of these ingredients, the company added. Walgreens launched the Ology Brand of Healthy Home Products that is free of phthalates as well as other risky chemicals such as parabens, formaldehyde, triclosan, and sodium laureth sulfate Lowe s and Home Depot getting rid of phthalates in flooring (Dec 2015)

27 Phthalate reductions/removals Some manufacturers taking phthalates out of products: Avon, Johnson & Johnson, S.C. Johnson, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Unilever, Disney. Check here to see if phthalates are in products: Phthalates Action Plan Summary. US Environmental Protection Agency. Rulemaking halates.html DEHP is tested for at public water supplies and regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act

28 Chain store products to avoid New Report from the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, Feb 4, A Day Late And A Dollar Short: Discount Retailers are Falling Behind on Safer Chemicals - Finds 81% (133 of 164) of Dollar Store Products Tested Contain One or More Hazardous Chemicals Linked to Learning Disabilities, Cancer & Other Serious Illnesses Toxicants include phthalates, PVC, toxic metals like lead Dollar store chain includes Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and 99 Cents Only

29 Fire Retardants PBDEs Poly-brominated diphenyl ethers (or BDEs), commonly referred to as penta, octa and deca ( i.e. penta-brominated diphenyl ether) Used in furniture, carpets, vehicles, electronics - Showing up in sediment, water and air PBDEs leaching out of products and get in blood can cause thyroid problems, developmental problems, carcinogenic Penta and Octa forms have been phased out deca still used EPA supports phase-out of deca by Dec 31, 2013 by Chemtura and Albemarle Corp (US producers). Albemarle described deca as safe Organophosphate substitutes (TDCIPP and TPHP) showing up in blood too. May cause fertility problems, and linked to poorer cognitive function in children. tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP). New substitute products should be thoroughly tested prior to marketing to make sure that they are safe.

30 Feeling Blue? 30

31 Argyria from silver ingestion Paul Karason started turning blue 15 years after he began ingesting silverbased prep and colloidal silver to self medicate a skin condition. Stan Jones, bottom right Argyria (ahr JIR e uh), a blue-gray discoloration of your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails and gums. While argyria doesn't pose a serious health problem, it can be a cosmetic concern because it doesn't go away when you stop taking silver products. Currently no FDA approved oral OTC or prescription drugs containing silver. 31

32 Silver as antibacterial The Silver Institute promotes silver in medical supplies as biocide, in water purification systems, pools and spas ( Silver or triclosan treated clothing for anti-odor and anti-bacterial purposes will release coatings with bleach detergents (~25% after 2 washes, up to 50% with more washes), discharging to sewers POTWs state waters. Bacteria mutate to survive, becoming more antibiotic resistant. The Mayo Clinic Colloidal silver isn't considered safe or effective for any of the health claims manufacturers make. Silver has no known purpose in the body, nor is it an essential mineral, as some sellers of silver products claim. 3/25/15 EPA requires registration under pesticide law of products containing nanoscale (smaller than 1 micrometer) silver designed to control microbes. 32

33 Microbeads Plastics disintegrate in the oceans and are ingested by aquatic organisms Many PCPs contain microbeads like exfoliates, body washes, toothpastes Larval perch with plastic beads Seafood eating humans ingest up to 11,000 tiny pieces of plastic every year 2017 illegal to sell a PCP with plastic microbeads

34 34 nation/microconstituents.aspx

35 Green cleaning ideas imination/microconstituents.aspx 35

36 Washed Ashore exhibit Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond VA March 4-Sept 4,

37 Contact Information WEB site address: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Office of Water Permits Industrial Pretreatment/Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents tiondischargeelimination/microconstituents.aspx Mail: P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA Location: 629 E. Main St, Richmond, VA PH: FAX: