Estrogenicity assessment of membrane concentrates from landfill leachate treated by the UV-Fenton process using a human breast carcinoma cell line

- Membrane concentrates induce estrogenicity in MCF-7 cells and threaten human and environmental health.
- PAEs were refractory and a main contributor to membrane concentrate estrogenicity.
- The degradation intermediates were more toxic than the original toxic substances in membrane concentrates.
- Estrogenicity was highly related to the generation of intermediates and the concentration of PAEs.
- Estrogenicity assessment was an effective method for evaluating the AOPs of membrane concentrates.

Membrane concentrates (MCs) are generated when membranes are used to concentrate landfill leachate. It contains high concentrations of inorganic and organic environmental pollutants, which are highly toxic and carcinogenic. In this paper, the proliferation effect (PE) from MC before and after treatment with the UV-Fenton process was assessed using the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. The highest value of 116% was found at 5% (v/v) concentration after a 10 min reaction. Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) play an important role in the MC estrogenicity. Estrogen simulation solutions (ESS) of PAEs were prepared to simulate the changes in estrogenic active substances during the UV-Fenton process. The ESS degradation conformed to the first-order kinetics model. The estrogenicity decreased after an initial increase until it acted in a non-estrogenic manner. Convincingly, the intermediates were determined by GC/MS, and the estrogenicity was assessed during the degradation process. The estrogenicity was highly related to the generation of intermediates and the PAE concentration. The results provide guidance for UV-Fenton application in MC estrogenicity reduction.

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