Environmental fate and toxicity of androgens: A critical review

Abstract

Androgens are released by humans and livestock into the environment and which cause potent endocrine disruptions even at nanogram per liter levels. In this article, we reviewed updated research results on the structure, source, distribution characteristics and the fate of androgens in ecological systems; and emphasized the potential risk of androgens in aquatic organism. Androgens have moderately solubility in water (23.6-58.4 mg/L) and moderately hydrophobic (log Kow 2.75-4.40). The concentration of androgens in surface waters were mostly in ng/L ranges. The removal efficiencies of main wastewater treatment processes were about 70-100%, except oxidation ditch and stabilization ponds. Sludge adsorption and microbial degradation play important role in the androgens remove. The conjugated androgens were transformed into free androgens in environmental matrices. Global efforts to provide more toxicity data and establish standard monitoring methods need a revisit. Of the day available, there is an urgent need for comprehensive consideration of the impact of androgens on the environment and ecology.

Keywords: Androgens; Aquatic life; Endocrine disrupting compound; Environmental fate.