Chemical and biological analysis of estrogenic, progestagenic and androgenic steroids in the environment

This article focuses on chemical and biological analysis of steroids with estrogenic, progestagenic and androgenic properties in the environment. There is an overview of chemical analytical methods for the determination of such steroids in aqueous (river water and wastewater) and solid (soil, sludge and sediment) matrices. There are several bioassays for the biological analysis of such steroids. Studies combining biological and chemical analysis have proved to be valuable in uncovering the presence and the impact of steroidal compounds in the environment. Estrogenic compounds, which can often be found in the aquatic environment, can harm wildlife. However, research on progestagenic and androgenic compounds is only just beginning.