There is concern that certain molecules mimic hormones normally produced within the body and so interfere with their action.
These aendocrine disrupters' can be found naturally as well as in various manufactured goods such as plastics and pesticides. The effects of certain molecules on hormonal regulation have already been well documented; phytooestrogens, for example, plant chemicals which mimic the action of oestrogen, are suspected of causing breast cancer, reducing sperm counts and interfering with foetal development. Although some elements, such as arsenic, have been recognised as endocrine disrupters most molecules with a hormono-mimetic or a hormono-blocking effect are small organic molecules.
There are plans to screen thousands of molecules over the next few years to determine their effects. To reach detection and quantification limits for the dosage of these organic molecules, solvents and reagents used for sample preparation and for the mobile phases in liquid chromatography must contain minimal organics, and more specifically minimal quantities of the molecules to be dosed.
To comply with laboratory requirements for working on endocrine disrupter analyses, the following is recommended for the water purification system: built-in UVphoto-oxidation to reduce TOC (Total Organic Carbon) levels to <5 ppb (eg Milli-Q Gradient A10 system) and replacement of materials containing bisphenol A; point-of-use filter containing activated carbon to remove remaining traces of organics in high purity water (such as the Millipore EDS filter).
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Millipore Lab Water Division is based in St Quentin, France. www.millipore.com
