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

International awareness of the potential hazards posed by endocrine disrupting compounds has led to several programs to optimize the selection, sampling, and analysis of a wide variety of media. The interpretation of analytical 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 scale, contaminant spectrum, and potential for human and ecological exposure. Methods are being developed or modified for the study. Samples taken in 1998 are being analyzed to determine contaminant levels, compare analytical method results, build a working database, and observe any correlation among analyte groups. Samples include water, sediment, soil, fish, clams, mammals, and certain agricultural crops. This ambitious research project is a concerted effort of the EPA Office of Research and Development and the United States Geological Survey. It combines technological innovation, biological interpretation, and data analysis to strengthen the analytical protocol used to measure trace contaminants in various environmental matrices. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.