Along with this, we also intend to determine the environmental occurrence of these potential contaminants and identify potential ecologic effects from exposure to these chemicals or microorganism. .
The Water Quality Association states that sometimes chemicals that had not previously been detected (or were previously found in far lesser concentrations) are discovered in the water supply. These chemicals are known as, "contaminants of emerging concern," or simply, "emerging contaminants," (Wqa.org, 2015). The term of emerging contaminants (EC's), definition given by the National Institutes of Health, is usually used to refer to compounds of different origin and chemical nature, whose presence in the environment is not considered significant in terms of distribution and/or concentration, so go, unnoticed (NIH, 2015). However, now some of them have been detected and have the potential to make an ecological impact, as well as adverse effects on health. Phthalates, pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PCPs) and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are among the prime examples of emerging contaminants. Up to 90% of oral drugs pass through the human body and end up in the water supply. Personal care products (soaps, cosmetics, fragrances) also find their way into our water (Wqa.org, 2015).
The types of emerging contaminants that we are interested in are the phthalates. "Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break, which is the reason why they are often called plasticizers," (Cdc.gov, 2015). Some phthalates are used as solvents (dissolving agents) for other materials. They are, "used in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, automotive plastics, plastic clothes (raincoats), and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, and nail polishes)," Phthalates are used widely in polyvinyl chloride plastics, which are used to make products such as plastic packaging film and sheets, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage containers, medical tubing, and some children's toys (Cdc.
