Study of the efficiency of the removal of steroid hormones from water by reverse osmosis

Abstract

Water contamination by micropollutants is increasing, including steroid hormones. Indiscriminate use, incorrect disposal, inefficient treatment of water and effluents, and less restrictive legislation promote the contamination of effluents and water, with harmful consequences for the environment and human health. In this work, it was evaluated the use of reverse osmosis in the removal of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, synthetic steroids that are components of contraceptives. The hydraulic permeability of the membrane was assessed before, during, and after reverse osmosis of an aqueous solution of contraceptive, as well as the retention of hormones, of a synthetic solution of contraceptive used as the feed. 95.6% retention of the compounds was observed, demonstrating the efficiency of reverse osmosis in the removal of solutes. In addition, there was no important reduction of the hydraulic permeability of the membrane when compared to the clean membrane and after reverse osmosis, demonstrating that the cleaning step was efficient in removing fouling or other interferents formed during the process. Reverse osmosis was efficient in the removal of constituents of contraceptives from aqueous solutions, being an option in the treatment of water and effluents aiming to attain better potability and smaller toxicity risks for the environment and human health.