Contamination of Bisphenol A, Nonylphenol, Octylphenol, and Estrone in Major Rivers of Mega Manila, Philippines

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as natural and synthetic hormones as well as phenolic industrial chemicals are considered contaminants of emerging concern in environmental waters. While EDCs carried through the rivers may impact ecosystem health and productivity, these compounds are still not widely studied nor regulated. In this study, we report the occurrence of EDCs in urban rivers in Mega Manila namely Marikina, Pasig, Angat, and Pampanga Rivers that drain into Manila Bay. EDCs may have reached these rivers through domestic wastewater and industrial effluents. Water samples from the rivers were extracted by solid phase extraction before instrumental analysis using a liquid chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. The analytical method exhibited good linear response (>99% in the concentration range of 1‐50 µg/L) and low instrument detection limits (0.14‐1.46 µg/L) for the hormones estrone, estradiol, ethinylestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, and the industrial chemicals bisphenol A, nonylphenol, and octylphenol. Of the hormones, estrone was detected up to 11 ng/L. Bisphenol A, nonylphenol, and octylphenol were measured up to 54 ng/L, 1878 ng/L, and 62 ng/L, respectively. EDCs are not yet monitored in water bodies in the Philippines and there are no local guidelines yet on occurrence, pollution prevention, and mitigation.