Water a major source of endocrine-disrupting chemicals: An overview on the occurrence, implications on human health and bioremediation strategies

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are toxic compounds that occur naturally or are the output of anthro-pogenic activities that negatively impact both humans and wildlife. A number of diseases are associated with these disruptors, including reproductive disorders, cardiovascular disorders, kidney disease, neurological dis-orders, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Due to their integral role in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, pack-aging companies, agro-industries, pesticides, and plasticizers, the scientific awareness on natural and artificial EDCs are increasing. As these xenobiotic compounds tend to bioaccumulate in body tissues and may also persist longer in the environment, the concentrations of these organic compounds may increase far from their original point of concentrations. Water remains as the major sources of how humans and animals are exposed to EDCs. However, these toxic compounds cannot be completely biodegraded nor bioremediated from the aqueous me-dium with conventional treatment strategies thereby requiring much more efficient strategies to combat EDC contamination.Recently, genetically engineered microorganism, genome editing, and the knowledge of protein and metabolic engineering has revolutionized the field of bioremediation thereby helping to breakdown EDCs effectively. This review shed lights on understanding the importance of aquatic mediums as a source of EDCs exposure. Furthermore, the review sheds light on the consequences of these EDCs on human health as well as highlights the importance of different remediation and bioremediation approaches. Particular attention is paid to the recent trends and perspectives in order to attain sustainable approaches to the bioremediation of EDCs. Additionally, rigorous restrictions to preclude the discharge of estrogenic chemicals into the environment should be followed in efforts to combat EDC pollution.

Automated summary

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are toxic compounds that negatively impact humans and wildlife. They are associated with various diseases and are found in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, packaging, agro-industries, pesticides, and plasticizers. Water is the major source of exposure to EDCs, but conventional treatment strategies are insufficient to degrade them. Therefore, more efficient strategies, such as genetic engineering and bioremediation, are needed to combat EDC contamination.