Sampling completed for L.A.-area evaluation of bioassay effectiveness for CEC screening

SCCWRP and its partners have completed sampling of river water in the Los Angeles region for a study assessing the effectiveness of cell-based bioassays to screen for CECs.

Water samples were collected upstream and downstream from wastewater treatment plants that discharge effluent into the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River; the sampling took place during two dry-weather periods: July and October.

The goal is to evaluate whether cell bioassays are effective for screening waterways for the presence of CECs, which would enable them to complement conventional targeted chemical
monitoring. Cell bioassays are commonly used by the pharmaceutical and food industries to rapidly screen a wide variety of chemicals for potential toxicity.

The Los Angeles study is one of a series of pilot studies being conducted across the state to test-drive the utility of a new, multi-tiered framework for monitoring CECs in waterways across California. The framework, co-developed by SCCWRP, is designed to give water-quality managers a more efficient, cost-effective way to zero in on the CECs that pose the greatest potential health risks.

The Los Angeles and San Gabriel River samples will be analyzed over the coming month. The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County will screen the samples using targeted chemical analysis methods, while SCCWRP will perform the bioassay screening.

Findings are expected to be released in summer 2017.