What are emerging contaminants?
Emerging contaminants are synthetic or naturally-occurring chemicals that just recently, through improved and more sensitive analytical methods, have been detected in the environment. They include:
- Pharmaceuticals and personal care products
Products used for personal health or cosmetic reasons, or used by agribusiness to enhance growth or health of livestock - Nonylphenols
Primarily found in laundry detergents as a cleaning and foaming agent, but also used in pesticides, paint, rubber and hundreds of other products
The term "emerging contaminants" does not does not mean new contaminants. These chemicals have been released into the environment for as long as they have been in use; however, thanks to enhanced testing processes, we have begun to detect them and study their effects.
Because of their widespread use, they enter the environment through a seemingly infinite number of ways, including, but not limited to:
- common household disposal
- passing through the body into the wastewater system unmetabolized
- animal feed lots
Many emerging contaminants are also identified as endocrine disrupting compounds, or EDCs, which mimic your body’s natural hormones.
Your endocrine system is composed of glands that produce hormones, and receptors that recognize and respond to hormones. A hormone is, in essence, a chemical messenger that instructs your body to perform a certain function, such as produce insulin or speed up or slow down your metabolism. In some instances, a desired effect is achieved (for example, growth hormones and birth control pills). However, in most situations involving environmental EDCs, an endocrine effect is not desirable and has the potential to cause harm.
Concern about EDCs is not unique to Colorado Springs. Emerging contaminants are a concern across the state, as well as the country and world. Some European countries have even banned chemicals such as Nonylphenol.
Are there any health risks associated with emerging contaminants?
Little is known about the potential effects of these contaminants on human life, and as such, they are often not actively regulated in wastewater effluents or drinking water supplies.
Suspected effects of EDCs in humans include:
- Decreased sperm quality
- Cancers of the reproductive organs and tissues
- Skewed gender ratios
- Hypospadia (a birth defect in the urethra of males)
- Abnormalities in reproductive organs
At Colorado Springs Utilities, we complete more 400 water quality tests per month to ensure the safety of your drinking water, which meets or surpasses federal standards. We will continue to update you as we learn more about emerging contaminants.
What about wildlife and the environment?
The Environmental Protection Agency is devoting considerable efforts to their investigation and increased regulation because of potentially serious effects on the reproduction of aquatic organisms.
Reports of transgender fish and other aquatic species have triggered public interest. The risks these chemicals may pose to aquatic organisms include negative effects to reproduction and increased mortality. More research is needed before additional water quality criteria or regulations are developed.
Suspected effects of EDCs on wildlife:
- Reproductive organ and gender abnormalities
- Gonadal tissue irregularities (transgender)
- Skewed gender ratios
How can you help keep emerging contaminants out of our wastewater?
We are partnering with local businesses to educate owners about the environmental impacts of emerging contaminants. You can take steps at home to help.
- Avoid using detergents, cleaning agents, and other products that contain Nonylphenols. Many times, Nonylphenols are not clearly labeled, so if this is the case, call the manufacturer to find out what is used in the product.
- Tell manufacturers that you've stopped using their products because they contain nonylphenol.
- Don’t flush medications down the toilet or wash down the drain.
- Take unwanted medications to the El Paso County Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility.
- Avoid overuse of personal care products and overexposure to products.
- Eat organic foods, which contain less pesticides.
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