Occurrence, fate and removal of synthetic oral contraceptives (SOCs) in the natural environment: A review

Synthetic oral contraceptives (SOCs) are a group of compounds with progestagenic and/or androgenic activities, with some also possessing estrogenic activities. Recent research has documented that some of these emerging contaminants have adverse effects on aquatic organisms at very low concentrations. To facilitate the evaluation of their latent risks, published works on their occurrence and fate in the environment are reviewed. Androgenic/progestagenic relative potencies or relative binding affinity of these SOCs as well as their physicochemical properties and toxicity are summarized. Appropriate analytical methods are outlined for various environmental sample types, including methods of sample preparation and limit of detection/quantification (LOD/LOQ). Finally results on their occurrence and fate in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and other environments are critically examined. ► A critical review of synthetic oral contraceptives (SOCs) in the environment. ► Progestogenic/androgenic potencies of SOCs with different in vitro assays. ► Recent advances in analytical methods of SOCs for environmental samples. ► Occurrence and fate of SOCs in the environment. ► State of the knowledge on potential for treatment of SOCs.