Hormônios sintéticos no ambiente: uma revisão da literatura

Abstract

Estrogens and pharmaceutical compounds are environmental contaminants that might be in water bodies and, consequently, interfere in hormonal, metabolic and reproductive functions of organisms exposed. They are classified as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs). This study aims to analyze the scientific literature about synthetic hormones defined as EDCs through a systematic and narrative review. The investigated compounds were 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), Mestranol (MeEE2), Diethylstilbestrol (DES), Dienestrol (DNS) and Methyltestosterone (MET). Accordingly, a theoretical reference chapter concerning endocrine disruptors and hormones was elaborated. The results obtained about the compounds, its chemical characteristics, use in society, occurrence in aquatic ecosystem and the effects on biota based on ecotoxicological tests were exposed subsequently. The systematic review has collected scientific papers in ScienceDirect, Scielo and PubMed, published from 1990 to 2019. China had great representation on the selected studies, counting 22 papers about environmental synthetic hormones. We realized the small amount of research concerning the presence of MET in the environment, compared to the others hormones. Brazilian water bodies had the highest compounds concentrations, which can encourage critical thinking on insufficient environmental management and wastewater treatment techniques in the country. Therefore, emerging contaminants topic requires debate on society as investments in scientific research and implementation of more effective public policies for aquatic ecosystem conservation.