Correspondence Comment on “Estrogenicity Determination in Sewage Treatment Plants and Surface Waters from the Catalonian Area (NE Spain)” SIR: A recent paper in Environ. Sci. Technol. reported high levels of nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), and nonylphenol ether carboxylate (NPEC) in sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents and receiving waters of the Llobregat River in Spain (1). NP, NPEC, and NPEs are highly biodegradable materials that are effectively removed in well-functioning biological STPs (2). Where effective sewage treatment exists, levels of these materials in receiving water are low, even in streams receiving a considerable input of industrial wastewater (3). Studies of overloaded, and hence poorly functioning, biological treatment plants in Switzerland have demonstrated lower removals (4). Comparison of treatment plant operating performance, as measured by organic carbon removal, and NPE treatability showed a direct correlation. Consequently, finding high levels of NP, NPEC, and/or NPEs in STP effluents and receiving waters as reported (1) is an indication of overloaded and/or poorly functioning STPs. Inadequate sewage treatment has important public health as well as environmental implications due to the release into the environment of human pathogens and innumerable potentially hazardous substances. Considering this, the paper’s focus on NP, NPEC, and NPEs seems rather narrow and largely irrelevant to the evident and previously documented (5) problems in the Llobregat River and its tributaries.
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It is important to recognize that as treatment removes sewage from water, it also removes the NPE. Improved sewage treatment in the Llobregat Watershed would provide multiple benefits of a healthier fish population, cleaner drinking water, greater recreational opportunities, and reduced threats to human health.
Literature Cited (1) Sole´, M.; Lo´pez de Alda, M. J.; Castillo, M.; Porte, C.; LadegaardPedersen, K.; Barcelo´, D. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2000, 34, 50765083. (2) (a) Naylor, C. G. Text. Chem. Color. 1995, 27, 29-33. (b) Naylor, C. G. Ind. Wastewater 1996, Sept/Oct, 61-65. (c) Bennie, D. T. Water Qual. Res. J. Can. 1999, 34 (1), 103. (d) Mackay, L. G.; Croft, M. Y.; Selby, D. S.; Wells, R. J. J. AOAC Int. 1997, 80 (2), 401-407. (3) (a) Naylor, C. G.; Mieure, J. P.; Adams, W. J.; Castaldi, F. J.; Ogle, L. D.; Romano, R. R. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 1992, 69, 695-703. (b) Naylor, C. G.; Williams, J. B.; Varineau, P.; Webb, D. Proceedings: CESIO 4th World Surfactants Congress; 1996; Vol. 4, pp 378-391. (c) Field, J.; Reed, R. Environ. Sci. Technol. 1996, 30, 3544-3550. (4) Ahel, M.; Giger, W.; Koch, M. Water Res. 1994, 28, 1131-1142. (5) (a) Ventura, F.; Fraisse, D.; Caixach, J.; Rivera, J. Anal. Chem. 1991, 63 (19), 2095-2099. (b) Guardiola, A.; Ventura, F.; Matia, L.; Caixach, J.; Rivera, J. J. Chromatogr. 1991, 562, 481-492.
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