ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the importance of treatment conditions as well as compound characteristics in controlling Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) distribution throughout the Sewage treatment works. The concentration of some EDCs in sewage sludge is greatly influenced by the wastewater treatment process. One of the most important factors observed is the sludge age during activated sludge treatment. A higher sludge age results in a faster acclimation period followed by more complete degradation. It also increases the sorption potential because of higher suspended solids concentration in the mixed liquor. In addition to sorption onto suspended solids as a removal mechanism, it is possible that compounds may partition onto the nonpolar fat and lipid material in raw sewage. A higher suspended solid content resulted in a higher removal of estrogens, while an increase in influent estrogen concentration caused a decrease in removal.
