[Pharmwaste] Underwriters Laboratories Announces Improved Testing Methods for Detecting and Analyzing Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water

[DeBiasi, Deborah (DEQ)]

http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?N_ID=74403

Full article here:

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Underwriters Laboratories Announces Improved Testing Methods for
Detecting and Analyzing Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water
Northbrook, Ill., June 21, 2010 - Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a
global leader in drinking water quality and safety, today announced that
it has combined existing proprietary testing methods for identifying
emerging contaminants in water. By using highly specific and sensitive
instrumentation practices, UL has developed two new methods that provide
cutting-edge and cost effective analytical services for contaminants
such as PhACs in the 160,000 water supplies in the U.S.


UL combined its existing methods (L200, L211, L220 & L221) to develop UL
test method L222 used for the analysis of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
(EDCs) and Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs). This
method focuses on detecting and analyzing nearly 30 most frequently
studied and detected contaminants of emerging concern including
acetaminophen, bisphenol A, caffeine, DEET, estrone, nicotine,
nonylphenol, triclosan, etc. UL also streamlined the analysis of
selected semi-volatile organic compounds including sterols, phosphate
flame retardants, fragrances, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenols,
and pesticides to create UL method S190.  Both the L222 and S190 testing
methods are used to analyze contaminants of emerging concern found in
treated wastewater, surface water, groundwater and municipal drinking
water. 

According to a report from IMS Health, a leading provider of market
intelligence to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, in 2009
global pharmaceutical sales exceeded $773 million. As a result, the
consumption of PPCPs has increased significantly over the last 20 years
triggering a rise in the amount of PPCPs entering water supplies through
excretion, bathing and the disposal of medications in sewers and trash.
Today, UL analytical capabilities include analysis of nearly 120
emerging contaminants including EDCs, PPCPs, flame-retardants, and other
contaminants of emerging concern.

"The human health and environmental effects associated with PhACs in
water supplies are not well understood at this time," said Dennis Leeke,
Business Manager, UL Global Water Business.  "UL recognizes the
importance of this growing issue and is one of only a few laboratories
in the country that has developed methods to detect pharmaceuticals and
other compounds at ultralow levels. We are committed to supporting the
drinking water industry by providing water utilities and government
agencies with new ways to detect and analyze emerging contaminants more
accurately than ever before." 

As a global leader in drinking water quality and safety, UL has analyzed
more than two million drinking water samples for thousands of public and
private entities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. UL
tests water representing more than 7,000 municipalities and is certified
in 48 states and Puerto Rico. The company also is an approved certifier
of water products that meet the criteria of the EPA's WaterSenseSM
program, which identifies and promotes the use of water-efficient
products. For more information on UL's water programs and services,
visit the water industry section on http://www.ul.com/.

..  

Deborah L. DeBiasi 
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov (NEW!)
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov 
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 
Office of Water Permit and Compliance Assistance Programs 
Industrial Pretreatment/Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program 
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
www.deq.virginia.gov/vpdes/microconstituents.html 
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219 
PH:         804-698-4028 
FAX:      804-698-4032