Removal of organic micropollutants (personal care products and endocrine disruptors) from water

Endocrine disrupting compounds are a newly emerging pollutants in the aquatic environment. They usually pass into the water environment through untreated wastewater, released into the receiving waters from sewage treatment plants, as well as being directly washed off bodies during recreational use of rivers and lakes. Some of the endocrine disrupting compounds have their source in the applied medications, but most of them are non-obvious hazards hidden in personal care products, including soaps, cosmetic formulas, repellents or shampoos. Among such compounds are: N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide, benzophenones, 4-octylphenol, triclosan, carbamazepine, 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor, diethylstilbestrol, estrone, estradiol and clotrimazole. Their presence in water is increasing day by day as their daily use increases. These compounds have a wide spectrum of effects, ranging from mere presence in the aquatic environment to bioaccumulation, endocrine disruption and even to increasing the risk of cancer. The article analyzes the harmfulness of these compounds and how to remove them from water. Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis on model water were chosen as the guiding method. The research was conducted on a small nanofiltration and reverse osmosis station. Chemical determinations were made by extraction of organic compounds and chromatographic analysis. The conducted tests showed a positive effect.