Green Chemistry Perspective as a Driver in the Removal of Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals from Water

Currently, one of the major challenges of the twenty-first century is the pollution of global water with chemicals that imitate hormones in the human body and block receptor sites, thus, upsetting the regular functioning of the endocrine system. Several methods have been advanced for removing these chemical contaminants in water. Nevertheless, several of these methods are inefficient and cause secondary environmental problems. Hence, there is a need for green approaches for the removal of these contaminants present in water. A green approach to the design and the removal processes of these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from water has been recognized as one major route to attaining the United Nations sustainable development goals #6 and 3. This article, therefore, gives an overview of the occurrence of EDCs in aquatic environments, their effects on public health, and management through green and sustainable processes. The article advances in green approach for different water treatment techniques applied and material synthesis employed in the management of EDCs in water from the perspective of several principles of green chemistry. Removal techniques and materials whose synthetic routes are considered to have satisfied at least one of the 12 principles of green chemistry were considered. This chapter provides requisite knowledge that can drive the proper selection of sustainable methods and the design of materials to abate EDCs in water.