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Development and Validation of an Automated Instrument for the Determination of the Endocrine Disrupter 17ß-Estradiol in the Water Cycle (ESTR-A-LISER)
Start date: Dec 15, 2001, End date: Apr 14, 2005 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Background Substances with an estrogenic potential present in the environment cause adverse effects on humans and wildlife. The most potent estrogenic hormone – 17ß-estradiol – is present in a range of water bodies. In rivers, lakes and sewage outlets, the concentrations range from 0 – 3.7 ng/L. Sources for 17ß-estradiol in the environment are the excretions of human beings and mammals, especially urine. Objectives The objective of the project was to design and validate an analytical device and procedure that could detect endocrine disrupters in the water cycle in the sub-ppt range. The procedure was to be validated for its use with ground- and surface-water, wastewater and water intended for human consumption. This was to enable the device’s future users to be able trace the presence of endocrine disrupters in the entirety of the water cycle, from drinking water (groundwater, spring water or bank filtrate) to wastewater. Results The project successfully developed the device, called the “Estr-a-liser”, which combines an analytical robot, a special immuno-chemical procedure and software that statistically enhances the reliability of the results. The apparatus is an immunoassay workstation prototype, based on readily available, inexpensive robotic modules (assembled by a sub-contractor). Intensive testing of the prototype with regard to sensitivity, reproducibility and accuracy was performed and the software was adapted, based on "uncertainty of measurement concept" (UOM). Field studies of surface-, ground- and wastewater in order to test the instrument and the procedures and to develop a statistical model for the prediction of estrogens took place in three EU Member States. The technology is compact, cheap, quick (providing analyses in under three hours), mobile, precise, reproducible, and requires a minimum of personnel. In the past, it had been nearly impossible to detect extremely low concentrations (sub-ppt range) of substances with an estrogenic potential. This project for the first time offered the possibility of tracing their presence in the whole water cycle – from drinking water (groundwater, spring water or bank filtrate) to wastewater. As the costs of analyses are low, it is now possible to trace this type of pollution back to their sources and in turn prevent the discharge or at least find appropriate measures for reduction. Furthermore, the technology is not simply useful for measuring estrogens, but also for a wide range of chemicals. Estrogens were just the first to be targeted. There have already been transfer projects established, the most notable being an R&D project, the "Pharm-a-liser", which traces the presence of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals in water.
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