According to findings of the Universite de Montreal’s Chemistry Department, the Montreal water treatment plant dumps 90 times the critical amount of certain estrogen products into our rivers. It only takes one nanogram (ng) of steroids per litre of water to disrupt the endocrinal system of fish and decrease their fertility.

The presence and effects of estrogen residues on aquatic wildlife are well documented. Data indicate that 128 million contraceptive pills and 107 million doses of hormone therapy are consumed every year in Quebec. This research is unique because it didn’t only consider natural hormones and those used in oral contraceptives; it also included products used in hormone therapy prescribed to menopausal women.

Water samples were taken in five different spots: from the Mille-Iles river, the St. Lawrence River, from two water collectors entering the Montreal treatment plant and from the exit.

The water from the St. Lawrence River contained 90 ng of estradiol (a naturally-occurring hormone) per litre after treatment, but this doesn’t mean that other hormones weren’t present. The analytic method used does not detect amounts lower than 7 ng per litre. The researchers also noted that 80–90% of antidepressants remain in the water after treatment.

Ozone treatments could eliminate both hormonal and antidepressant compounds.

(See dx.doi.org/10.1021%2Fac800162q or dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. talanta. 2008.05.008)