Microconstituents What s new?

Transcription

1 Microconstituents What s new? 33 rd Industrial Waste & Pretreatment Conference Charlottesville, VA March 7 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) 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, 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 indentification 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 supplement) 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, April 29 th 10 am 2 pm Drug collection boxes are available at participating police stations and many pharmacies

9 9/25/2010 4/30/ /29/2011 4/28/2012 9/29/2012 4/27/ /26/2013 4/26/2014 9/27/2014 9/26/2015 4/30/ /22/2016 1,000,000.0 Total pounds collected to date Nationally 7,150,383 Virginia 224, , , , , , , , , ,000.0 National 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 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?

15 Do we need all the drugs and supplements that we take? Pill to sleep Pill to give energy Pill to lose weight Pill to gain weight Pill to calm down Pill to speed up 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?

16 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.

17 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 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.

18 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.

19 Products with Bisphenol-A

20 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

21 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

22 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.

23 Problems with Phthalates DEHP - diethylhexyl phthalate is a plasticizer used to soften PVC Used in IV bags, tubing, blood collection machines Alters development of reproductive tract, mostly with males causes deformity and affects fertility possible carcinogen 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

24 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, butyl-paraben, 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.

25 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

26 Fire Retardants PBDEs Poly-brominated diphenyl ethers, commonly referred to as penta, octa and deca. Used in furniture, carpets, vehicles, electronics PBDEs leaching out of products and get in blood can cause thyroid problems, developmental problems, carcinogenic Showing up in sediment, water and air 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. 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.

27 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

28 28 nation/microconstituents.aspx

29 Green cleaning ideas imination/microconstituents.aspx 29

30 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:

31 Washed Ashore exhibit Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond VA March 4-Sept 4, 2017

32 Washed Ashore Exhibit