The power of analytical methods for measuring suspected endocrine disrupting compounds: a pilot field study

International awareness of the potential hazards posed by endocrine disrupt ing compounds has led to several programs to optimize the selection, sampli ng, and analysis of a wide variety of media. The interpretation of analytic al results and any subsequent regulatory changes can only be as reliable as the weakest link in the protocol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently engaged in a multi-disciplinary project to ensure that the analytical methods used are sufficient for the task. The Neuse River in North Carolina was chosen for a pilot study because of its geographic scal e, contaminant spectrum, and potential for human and ecological exposure. M ethods are being developed or modified for the study. Samples taken in 1998 are being analyzed to determine contaminant levels, compare analytical met hod results, build a working database, and observe any correlation among an alyte groups. Samples include water, sediment, soil, fish, clams, mammals, and certain agricultural crops. This ambitious research project is a concer ted effort of the EPA Office of Research and Development and the United Sta tes Geological Survey. It combines technological innovation, biological int erpretation, and data analysis to strengthen the analytical protocol used t o measure trace contaminants in various environmental matrices. (C) 2000 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.