ESTRIOL

Excretion from people and animals; pharmaceutical use and manufacturing; improper medicine disposal; wastewater effluent. EPA lists estriol on its Contaminant Candidate List for potential drinking-water concern [1][2].

Trace levels in tap water downstream of wastewater, in recreational waters, and from handling or using estrogen creams/pills [2].

Estrogens can interfere with the body’s hormone system; environmental exposures are linked to reproductive and developmental effects in wildlife. Overall human risk from drinking-water appears low, but sensitive groups merit caution [2][3].

Pregnant people and fetuses, infants, people using or handling estrogen medicines, and communities near wastewater-impacted sources or intensive livestock operations [2][3].

Don’t flush medicines; use take-back programs [4]. Maintain septic systems. For drinking water, consider activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters certified for pharmaceutical reduction [2]. Check your utility’s water quality reports and source-water protections [1].