SHORT COMMUNICATION
Comparing Methods of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)
Determination in Surface Water
Grzegorz Czerwonka, Wiesław Kaca
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Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce,
Świętokrzyska 15, 25-406, Kielce, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2012;21(4):1089-1093
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ABSTRACT
We compared methods of determination of 17α-ethinyloestradiol (EE2) in surface water in Kielce,
Poland. EE2 plays a role as a contraception agent and it is commonly used as an active agent in contraception
pills. During studies three methods of EE2 determination were checked: TLC, HPLC, and ELISA assay.
Samples of contaminated water were taken from eight points on four rivers crossing Kielce city, tap water, and
sludge in a sewage treatment plant (STP). Assays revealed that EE2 is present in river water in amounts of 3.2
ng/L to 6.29 ng/L. The EE2 removal process in STP is ineffective, removings only 1.3%. EE2 was not detected
in Kielce’s tap water. No correlation between fecal microbial contamination and EDS presence was determined.