Objective To investigate the occurrence of estrogenic activity and two kinds of phthalic acid esters (PAEs), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in tap water served by a large waterworks in Wuhan.
Methods Tap water was monthly collected during the period between April 2010 and March 2011. The estrogenic activity, DBP and DEHP in water samples were determined by two-hybrid system and gas chromatography combining solid-phase extraction technique.
Results The estrogenic activities in tap water ranged from 35.17 to 1 510.95 pg/L estradiol equivalents (EEQs) and were highest in summer but lowest in winter. No significant difference in estrogenic activities among four seasons was found (P > 0.05 for all). The levels of DBP and DEHP ranged from ND (not detected) to 0.74 μg/L and ND to 1.01 μg/L in tap water, respectively. DBP levels in summer and autumn were higher than that in winter and spring (P < 0.05 for all), while DEHP levels in summer were lower than that in spring, autumn and winter (P <0.05 for all). Along with the water pipeline extending, the estrogenic activity and DEHP levels were increased but DBP levels were decreased. There was no correlation between the estrogenic activity and the levels of DBP and DEHP (P > 0.05 for all).
Conclusion Estrogenic activity and two kinds of PAEs in tap water served by this large waterworks could be detected, and the occurrence of estrogenic activity and two kinds of PAEs in tap water varied greatly according to seasons and water pipeline distance.
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