E2, an Aquatic Hazard Worldwide

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors are defined as exogenous agents that alter the function of endocrine system, which in turn, causes adverse health effects in an intact organism or its progeny. Of these compounds, 17β-estradiol is of primary importance, since it is physiologically present in both men and women, as well as, being produced synthetically as a component in some pharmaceutical products. Once it reaches the aquatic environment through domestic sewage, ground water and streams, it makes a serious threat to the aquatic life. The review tackles the biological significance of these compounds as well as the danger that they present to the surrounding environment, areas at which these compounds have been detected worldwide, the methods used in detection and fundamentally significant solutions to get rid of this hazard using different methods such as; the bioremediation process.