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November 30, 2001Mr. George Lawton
Endocrine/Estrogen Letter
Dear Mr. Lawton:
The November issue of the Endocrine/Estrogen Letter referred to a University of British Columbia study of waste stream contaminants in the Greater Vancouver area, stating that the authors "found that nonylphenol compounds flow out of sewage pipes and waste treatment plants at levels as high as 20-30 times the lowest levels known to adversely affect fish."
As one of the principal research institutions on nonylphenol (NP) and the environment, we were surprised by this reported finding and were unaware of the study. Upon inquiry with the researcher, we found that the University had in fact not conducted a wastewater monitoring study. The statement in E/E Letter was apparently taken from an interview the researcher had given to the Vancouver Sun newspaper based on his understanding of routine monitoring conducted by the Great Vancouver Regional District (GVRD).
We contacted the officials that conduct environmental monitoring for the GVRD and have obtained a better understanding of the real situation. The concentrations of NP/NPE in effluent from the wastewater treatment plants (some of which operate only with primary wastewater treatment) are approximately twice the Lowest Observable Effect Concentration (LOEC) for NP in fish - not 20 to 30 times greater.
Furthermore, while end-of-pipe samples are of interest in measuring the efficacy of waste treatment systems, they do not measure the levels to which fish are exposed in receiving waters. Ongoing government monitoring of the receiving waters in the Greater Vancouver area shows that any traces of NP are well below the environmental quality guidelines drafted by Environment Canada. Thus, while it has been acknowledged that some waste treatment facilities in the area need modernizing, monitoring of the receiving waters does not indicate any threat to fish, wildlife or humans from NP or its breakdown products. This is in line with the findings of numerous other effluent studies in Canada and the United States.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Fensterheim
Executive Director
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