Estrogen Removal from Wastewater

Abstract Currently, a significant problem of water and sewage management is the presence of human hormones, especially estrogens and progestagens, consumed by women in contraceptives and then excreted from the body. While other drugs are used by a small part of the population and rather sporadically, hormonal contraception is used by a large number of women, which contributes to their high concentration in sewage. Even relatively low estrogen concentrations (compared to other drugs) can have harmful effects on the body, disturbing the hormonal balance and leading to various endocrine disorders. In this paper the types of individual estrogen groups were characterized. Next, different methods of their removal from wastewater were presented. The parameters of estrogen removal efficiency depend on which parameters. Next, the effectiveness of each method was compared, also taking into account economic aspects. The work was summarized with appropriate conclusions.