Estrogen in Water: Where Do These Hormones Come From?

We’ve already explored some of the many contaminants polluting our drinking water. We’ve talked about the dangers of microplastics in our land and seas. We’ve questioned the safety of fluoride, and how chlorine is meant to clean your tap water but might have the opposite effect. Today, we’re exploring yet another contaminant that, thus far, we haven’t acknowledged: hormones — specifically, estrogen. 

Yes, there could be estrogen in your drinking water.

Wait, How Does Estrogen Get in Our Water in the First Place?

It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but estrogen (and other hormones) in our drinking water is real. How?

One common source is female urine, which contains a fairly significant amount of estrogen. (Technically, urine from both sexes contains hormones.) Feedlots are another source. Animals are often given androgens and estrogens because they promote growth, feed efficiency, and protein deposition. When the animals go to the bathroom, that waste still contains some of those hormones, which end up in the land and water.

Birth control pills, which contain synthetic estrogen and progestin, are another source, although the jury is out on the degree of their involvement. Some sources say that birth control pills make up less than 1% of the estrogen found in our drinking water supply, with bigger contributors being soy and dairy products, urine from all humans (not just women taking the pill), and perhaps more than anything, animal waste.

 

 

Other research notes that the world population discharges about 30,000 kg/year of natural estrogens and 700 kg/year of synthetic estrogens from the birth control pill specifically. Compare that to the annual estrogen discharge from livestock in the United States and European Union alone: 83,000 kg/year, which is more than twice the rate of what humans produce.

Regardless, it’s impossible to deny that birth control is one of many factors, and no amount of estrogen in water is safe for us to consume.

This contaminated water can then enter our rivers and lakes through sewage and waste. Before that water ever reaches our homes, it’s having a serious impact on underwater ecosystems. For example, researchers have found male fish developing eggs and, in more extreme cases, feminized male fish.

Eventually, this same water can make its way to your tap. Yes, it’s supposed to be treated and purified — but we’ll talk more about that in a minute.

How Does Estrogen in Our Water Impact Our Health?

We need hormones to stay alive, but it’s a delicate balance; even a slight fluctuation in the various chemicals circulating through your body can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health — and as we just mentioned, we’re not the only ones.

One study found that introducing synthetic estrogen into a lake hurt the reproductive cycles of fathead minnows to the point of near extinction because it interfered with their ability to reproduce. Then, because their population dropped, other species reacted to the changes in the food supply and predation.

Humans aren’t immune to these dangers, either. For example, estrogenic activity has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and breast and prostate cancer.

We must also consider the bigger picture. If much of the estrogen in our tap water comes from the waste of livestock, what else are we unknowingly consuming whenever we quench our thirst? For starters, pesticides and fertilizers. Even city water can contain these pollutants, and if you live close to livestock, you’re even more at risk.

Learn more about the environmental impact of industrial farming.

Isn’t the Water Treated, Though?

If your home receives water through a public/city system, yes, it’s treated. The city is responsible for monitoring the quality of water and ensuring it meets the required standards. However, your drinking water can still be contaminated. 

For example, your city water might be treated with chlorine to sanitize it, but then there’s still chlorine in it when it comes out of your tap. Or, imagine that your water goes through the sanitation system but as it’s making its way to your home, it travels through pipes that are corroding and polluting the water with lead.

These are just a couple of reasons why your drinking water might not be safe, even after being treated — which means you have to take matters into your own hands and purify your water at home.

At-home Water Purification

Many of today’s refrigerators come with water purification built in. Other times, families will attach something like a Brita water filter to their faucet or perhaps enlist the help of a filtered pitcher.

The problem with these generic water purifiers is that they don’t use the most effective form of water filtration: reverse osmosis (RO).

Reverse osmosis is so powerful that the only thing that can make it through this type of filter is water molecules. Without RO, contaminants like lead, chlorine, fluoride, microplastics, arsenic, and even pathogens like bacteria and viruses can easily survive in your drinking water.

For the cleanest water at home, try a countertop reverse osmosis water purifier. For purified water on the go, a self-cleaning water bottle offers unparalleled convenience and security.

 

 

Sans uses four-layer reverse osmosis filtration plus UV-C light to remove contaminants as small as 0.0001 microns in size. The water quality monitor gives you real-time peace of mind, the pitcher auto-refills, and it instantly dispenses hot water for your coffee or tea. There is no installation required, and our filters last for 12 to 24 months.

Whether you have city water or well water, there is no such thing as being too diligent. Take control of your water quality to keep you and your family safe.