Instrumental and bioanalytical measures of endocrine disruptors in water

The threat of modulation of animal endocrine systems by xenobiotic compounds has become a major issue facing researchers today. These compounds are varied in form and mechanism of action. This poses unique challenges in the identification and evaluation of these compounds from environmental matrixes. The aquatic environment is exceptionally susceptible to xenobiotic insult. Water can be polluted by a multitude of sources and acts as a sink for many types of pollution. This chapter outlines several methods for the detection and quantitation of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the aquatic environment. However, no single method alone can predict or detect all EDCs present in an environmental sample, nor can all the biological mechanisms of action be accounted for in one simple test. Therefore, comprehensive screening for EDCs must combine several types of analyses including in vivo and in vitro bioassays, and analytical chemistry. Each type of analyses has advantages and disadvantages which will be discussed in this chapter.