Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost .. and a bit of estrogen

After reading about how much birth control is in drinking water I was thinking to myself; maybe I should test my water!  Turns out, it's not that easy...
Testing for estrogen in water is lengthy, and is an expensive process. Although little testing has been done, research and interest in estrogen testing and removal has grown in the past decade. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-tendem mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry when used on three potent steroidal estrogens in water. These methods also work with for testing larger freshwater sources for estrogen. Out of the three methods, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was found to be the best method to analyze estrogen levels in fresh water (D.P. Grover, 2009).

A research team from the Associated Press tested sediments from a freshwater source and an estuary source. They found that estrogen levels in shallow groundwater were approximately 28.8 parts per billion. The shallow groundwater measurement was taken from 10-18 centimeters below the ground. This was much greater than the 3.3 parts per billion measurement in surface sediment. This test showed the danger of estrogen pollution in our groundwater, and documented the high concentration it has in our groundwater (Labadie, 2007).

The Associated Press released a study that they performed in March 2008 that reported finds of estrogen among more than 50 other prescription drugs in the water that goes to 41 million people. The AP also said that these drugs have been found in the water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas such as Detroit[does this now explain LarryD?], Louisville, Southern California, and Northern New Jersey. Now, these levels of the pharmaceutical contaminants are safe according to drinking water guidelines, but studies show that mutations and sexual changes can still occur in animals even at low levels (“Pink Water,” 2010).
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science

So how much of that estrogen is taxpayer funded estrogen?  Maybe we should ask Sen. Alberta Darling?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder what correlation, if any, increasing levels of estrogen in the water supply has with cultural observations of the growing feminization of men in society.

Larry Denninger said...

If anything, Sister Patricia lacks significant levels of estrogen.

And - I'll have you know that for the past 12 years, I've been living in an area that is not serviced by Detroit Municipal Water. My township has a community well system.

Which, of course, doesn't mean all that much, as I'm not sure if our township water has been tested for high levels of estrogen, but I thought that should be put on the official record.

This does, however, justify drinking more beer.

Badger Catholic said...

I should say I didn't mean to infer LarryD was affected by estrogen specifically but the "more than 50 other prescription drugs in the water." Sister Patricia certainly could benefit from a few drinks.

LOL, I totally agree, beer is(and actually has always been) a safer source of intake than water.

Larry Denninger said...

I think you meant to say you could benefit from a few drinks before looking at Sister Patricia.

Dad29 said...

The problem of estrogen-laden water (it's the Pill, by the way, which causes that) is serious. A Colorado study demonstrated that the water was literally destroying fish populations.

Kat said...

Ah, but what if the beer is made with water from a highly estrogen-laden source? I think this calls for a federal investigation. We need our beer to be safe.

Badger Catholic said...

http://www.torontosun.com/life/healthandfitness/2010/10/07/15614431.html

"Beer still safer than water"

Anonymous said...

Actually, I wouldn't at all be surprised to have confirmed that the estrogen in water that has been through water treatment systems is definately contributing to the feminization of males, and in fact is a heavy contributer to sterility and man-boobs. Oh, and did I mention? PP will soon be doing plastic surgery to take care of the latter problem. Keep 'em comin' - that's what they always say - supply > demand > supply > demand - yup, full circle.

Kat said...

Thanks, BC. that relieves my mind. Still not enough to click "time for a drink," though. That seems wrong, somehow, right below the article.

Badger Catholic said...

Anon: ROFL

Kat: Funny how time for a drink has different connotations depending on the subject.