Steroid hormones and their metabolites in water of centralized drinking water supply systems as ecopolutants

Abstract

Information about the presence of drugs and their metabolites in the water of centralized drinking water supply systems is presented; the main groups of drugs found in purified drinking water of large cities are given. The main groups of drugs found in a centralized drinking water supply system include antidepressants (amitriptyllin), antibacterial drugs of various groups (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, azithromycin), narcotic analgesics (cocaine, morphine, their derivatives), psychoactive stimulants, benzodiazepines, hormones (estrogen and its metabolites estrone and estriol).
 A high level of potential risk to public health is marked due to the presence of steroid hormones and their active metabolites in drinking water. The concept of endocrine dysregulating complexes is formulated. Such complexes can be of a different nature of origin, but all of them affect receptors for estrogen and progesterone. It leads to abnormalities of hormonal regulation, affects endogenous synthesis, transport and secretory function.
 From the standpoint of ecotoxicology, further ways of working out the problem of the presence of steroid hormones in drinking water are proposed: the development of theoretical approaches to substantiating hygienic standards concerning the monitoring of these compounds in the water of centralized drinking water supply systems.