Study of the efficiency of the removal of steroid hormones from water by reverse osmosis

Water contamination by micropollutants is increasing, including steroid hormones. Indiscriminate use, incorrect disposal, inefficient treatment of water and effluents, less restrictive legislation promote the effluents water, with harmful consequences for environment human health. In this work, it was evaluated use reverse osmosis in removal ethinylestradiol levonorgestrel, synthetic steroids that are components contraceptives. The hydraulic permeability membrane assessed before, during, after an aqueous solution contraceptive, as well retention hormones, a contraceptive used feed. 95.6% compounds observed, demonstrating efficiency solutes. addition, there no important reduction when compared to clean osmosis, cleaning step efficient removing fouling or other interferents formed during process. Reverse constituents contraceptives from solutions, being option aiming attain better potability smaller toxicity risks