Where It Comes From
Excreted after use of birth‑control pills; discharges from pharmaceutical manufacturing; improper disposal (flushing); and wastewater effluent/biosolids that reach rivers or groundwater [1].
How You Are Exposed
Intended medical use; trace amounts in some drinking or recreational waters downstream of wastewater; and on‑the‑job exposure for pharmaceutical or wastewater workers [1][2].
Why It Matters
It acts like estrogen, disrupting hormones; tiny levels can feminize fish and affect reproduction [1]. EPA tracks it as a potential drinking‑water contaminant [2]. Steroidal estrogens (a class that includes EE2) are known human carcinogens, and combined oral contraceptives are carcinogenic to humans [3][4].
Who Is at Risk
Pregnant people, infants, and adolescents (developing bodies are sensitive to hormones); people living near or downstream of wastewater discharges; workers in pharma or wastewater plants [1].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Do not flush medicines; use drug take‑back programs; maintain septic systems; choose water filters with activated carbon or reverse osmosis; review your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report [1][5].
References
- [1]WHO. Pharmaceuticals in Drinking-water. World Health Organization, 2012.
- [2]EPA. Contaminant Candidate List (CCL): 17α‑ethinyl estradiol (EE2). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- [3]NTP. Report on Carcinogens: Estrogens, steroidal—Known to be Human Carcinogens. National Toxicology Program.
- [4]IARC. Combined Estrogen–Progestogen Oral Contraceptives. IARC Monographs Vol. 91; Group 1, International Agency for Research on Cancer.
- [5]EPA. Drinking Water Treatability Database: Ethinyl estradiol (EE2)—removal by activated carbon, ozonation, UV, and reverse osmosis. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.