Studies on the occurrence and quantification of phenolic endocrine disruptors in water

Abstract

Global climate change has resulted in increasing advocacy for sustainable development. With continuing decline in freshwater resources, our generation is confronted with challenges in the wise use of this important natural resource. Population growth, urbanization, industrial development and associated changes in agricultural and other land use practices are inevitable activities for economic growth. Unfortunately, each of these either depletes (the quantity) or reduces the quality of freshwaters. An important class of pollutants in waters are endocrine disruptors which include phthalates, phenols and some metals. Phenols are particularly important because of their many exposure routes to man and the environment. The need to regularly assess these impacts and possibly, minimize them therefore, becomes imperative. This paper therefore reviews the different routes of phenols to man and the aquatic environment; their analysis as well as different abatement studies in water.