NCAC SOT Emerging Issues in Water Contamination Chemical

NCAC SOT: Emerging Issues in Water Contamination Chemical Pollutants in Water: The Emerging Challenges Stakeholders Face April 15, 2010 Lynn. L. Bergeson & Campbell, P. C. www. lawbc. com

Old Problems: New Twists ■ Water contamination is not new ■ Certain water contaminants are new, however, and others are new to detection Ø New class of contaminants called organic micropollutants Ø Concept is micro “dose”/low dose Ø Three large groupings ● Endocrine Disruption Compounds (EDCs) ● Pharmaceuticals/Personal Care Products (PCPs) ● Engineered Nanomaterials 2

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 Ø 756 test orders Ø Sent to 440 companies ■ Second list of 100 chemicals to be screened is expected to be available by October 2010 3

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. 4

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 5

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) 6

Technical Challenges ■ Detection/Identification ■ Characterization ■ Number of contaminants ■ Treatment ■ Resources 7

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. 1203 Nineteenth Street, N. W. , Suite 300 Washington, D. C. 20036 www. actagroup. com THE ACTA GROUP EU, LTD Avanta Royal Mills 17 Redhill Street Ancoats Urban Village Manchester M 4 5 BA, UK www. actagroup. com 8