Foreign substances such as chemical pollutants that cause an alteration of sex have been found in growing prevalence in the circulating waters of the world.
[1] Although the EDCs from birth control are obviously causing a great effect on the humans, it turns out that, in the United States, the estrogens given to livestock are even more prevalent.
Pharmaceutical products may contain microscopic pollutants that imitate the chemical structure of hormones found in living organisms.
For example, EDCs such as parabens, phthalates, and triclosans can be found in everyday household items such as generic shampoos, conditioners, soaps, perfumes, makeup, and lotions.
EDCs are either applied to the skin and are absorbed, ingested and then excreted in urine, or are washed off in the shower or sink and have been documented in multiple water analyses.
Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) stated that there are many other sources of chemicals like the ones found in various pharmaceuticals that produce the same effects.
[3] "Crop fertilizers along with dairy cows, and various industrial chemicals like BPA" are increasingly seen as a source for pollution causing certain specific effects in those who consume them or products that are manufactured from them.
For example, 80 percent of pharmacies in Clark County, Washington, have contributed to efforts emphasizing the safe disposal of noncontrolled drugs.
This basic waste water treatment plan is effective in targeting larger contaminants, however, it is ineffective in removing microscopic EDCs.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states in its review of water pollution that many contaminants survive wastewater treatment and biodegradation, and are detectable in the environment.
[11] It follows a series of stages in which the water changes state multiple times until it finally falls back to earth where it will once again be circulated.
[5] This is then passed on to consumers of the seafood: humans, whereas the chemicals bioaccumulate in their bodies eventually causing sex-related health problems.
The pollutants found in the water have been observed in many studies that produce concrete data describing the effects they have on the hormones in both males and females.
Scientists observing EDCs in women's blood found that these chemicals mimic human hormones and trigger changes in the sex-determining process of unborn children.
[12] Other effects directly influencing the sex of an individual include a decrease in number and quality of sperm and increased deficiency in a male's reproductive system.
[1] The reduction of Sertoli cells causes a decrease in the production of sperm thus rendering the male reproductive system less effective.
[3] Not only have these effects been found in human subjects, but aquatic life has also been studied as these animals are in direct contact with EDCs as a part of their lifestyle.
They found that Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC), membrane filtration (nonfiltration and biofiltration), and reverse osmosis were the best at removal of EDCs.