While the amounts are far below any threshold that would raise health concerns, Institute officials say they could support efforts toward new water-quality regulations in years to come to control even the smallest levels of contaminants. The organization noted the levels found in the study were typically equal to one drop in 20 Olympic-sized pools.
"The idea behind the study is to begin to get a handle on a matter of growing concern: drugs as well as substances known as endocrine disruptors found in drinking-water, which could, in far larger quantities, have potentially severe effects," said Jeffrey J. Mosher, executive director of the National Water Research Institute.
