This document outlines how SDG indicators could be used to identify areas for action to reduce human health risks from endocrine disruptor compounds in freshwater where data is limited. It discusses which SDG indicators related to water, sanitation, waste, and housing may act as proxies for sources of and exposure to EDCs. While SDG data has good statistical robustness and global coverage, validity at local levels varies. The document concludes SDG indicators could provide more information than single studies and help guide cross-sectoral action, though methods to apply the data need development.

1. Astrid Louise Wester, MD, PhD, specialist in clinical microbiology
SDG 6 indicators (and others) to
identify hotspots for action
To reduce human health risks from endocrine disruptor
compounds in freshwater

2. Outlines of presentation
Part I – high-level introductions
Overview of souces and exposure routes
Groups of endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs)
human health effects
Sources of EDCs linked to freshwater
Exposure routes (via freshwater) to humans
Part II
Global perspective of EDC concentrations
When EDC data is limited – apply SDG indicator data?

3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.02.047

4. EDC groups, by source
linked to freshwater:
1. In human, animal and production wastes:
• Natural hormones and metabolites (17-β- estradiol, estriol,
estrone)
• Artificial hormones (contraceptive pill) + drugs with
hormonal side effects (beta-blockers, antibiotics, anti-
inflammatory drugs)
• Phyto- and mycoestrogens (isoflavones, lignans, stilbenes
etc)
2. Pesticides and metabolites (DDT,
methoxycholor, kepone, tosaphene)
3. Chemicals used in houshoulds and
industry (PCBs, paints, plasticiziers)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248997531_Endocrine_Disruptors_and_Water_Quality_A_State-of-the-Art_Review https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412016310182?via%3Dihub

5. Human health effects from EDCs
Fetal development + later in life
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412016310182?via%3Dihub/

6. Water-associated sources for EDCs
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.02.047
Sources
Routes/exposure
- EDC removal efficacy
- WWTPs not present?

7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.02.047
- EDC removal effectivity
- DWTPs not present?
Water-related routes for human
exposure for EDCs
Sources
Routes/exposure

8. http://naturalwaysofliving.blogspot.com/2010/04/which-water-is-best-for-drinking.html
https://www.mynewsgh.com/we-cant-share-drinking-water-with-animals-and-vote-for-you-residents-to-govt/
2020: 2 billion people lack safely managed drinking
water, incl. 122 million drink surface water

9. EDCs in freshwater – data
coverage and data robustness

10. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41545-018-0029-3
African studies:
Kenya (pharmaceuticals)
Ghana (pesticides)
Point-prevalence studies!

11. https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/479/publikationen/texte_163-
2021_the_database_pharmaceuticals_in_the_environment.pdf
German Environment Agency

12. Point-prevalence studies!
WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE IS LITTLE
OR NO DATA?

13. What SDG indicators could be
relevant as proxies/surrogate
markers – and for what?

15. SDG6 indicators relevant to sources
and human exposure to EDCs
SDG 6.1.1:
Safely managed drinking water
(WHO/UNICEF JMP)
SDG 6.1.2:
Safely managed sanitation
(WHO/UNICEF JMP)
SDG 6.1.3:
Safely treated
wastewater*
(WHO, UN-
Habitat)
*Wastewater from households and industry
https://washdata.org/monitoring/drinking-water/water-quality-monitoring
MIC survey of
drinking water
quality

16. SDG 6.3.2:
Good ambient water quality
(UNEP:GEMS Water)
SDG 6 indicators relevant to
sources and human exposure to
EDCs, cont.
SDG 6.b.1:
Local community participation
in WASH management
(WHO, UNEP, OECD: GLAAS)

17. 11.1.1 Proportion of urban population
living in slums, informal settlements or
inadequate housing
11.6.1 Proportion of municipal solid
waste collected and managed in
controlled facilities out of total
municipal waste generated, by cities
12.2.2 Material consumption per
capita
12.4.2 Hazardous waste generated
per capita
Other SDGs relevant to sources and
human exposure to EDCs

18. Relevant SDGs – data
robustness and coverage

19. Statistical robustness and Coverage
Validity, reliability and representativeness of SDG country estimates
SDG indicator measurement: longstanding work across statisticians
and relevant other sectors
Validity, reliability
Representative country estimates
Countries have subnational data => if no country level data, may have
local data
Different SDG indicators at different level of ‘maturity’ (coverage)
https://washdata.org/how-we-work/about-jmp

20. https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/are-we-there-yet-many-countries-dont-report-progress-
all-sdgs-according-world-banks-new

21. SDG 6 SDG 11 SDG 12
https://washdata.org/sites/default/files/2022-01/jmp-2021-wash-households_3.pdf
https://www.sdg6data.org/indicator/6.3.1
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-of-urban-population-living-in-slums
Drinking water
Sanitation
Wastewater treatment
Ambient water quality
Hazardous waste
Urban slums
https://unstats.un.org/unsd/environment/municipalwaste.htm
Solid waste management
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/domestic-material-consumption-per-capita
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/hazardous-waste-generated-per-capita?country=KGZ~KAZ~BTN~LUX
https://www.unwater.org/sites/default/files/app/uploads/2021/09/SDG6_Indicator_Report_632_Progress-on-Ambient-Water-Quality_2021_Executive-Summary_EN.pdf
Material consumption

22. Conclusions & thoughts
SDG indicators
May add information, or act as proxies
More robust than syntheses of single point-prevalence studies
Locally generated data – preferable to samples shipped for sentralized
analyses
Needs coverage analysis by country and subnational
levels
For what?
Proxies for EDC concentration in different water matrices?
Proxies for risk to humans?
Guiding cross-sectoral action as needed?
How?:
apply average level?
Add into 3D topographic maps?
Develop an OECD-tool?

23. Thank you for your attention!