Water quality - Determination of the estrogenic potential of water and waste water - Part 1: Yeast estrogen screen (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (ISO 19040-1:2018)

This document specifies a method for the determination of the estrogenic potential of water and waste water by means of a reporter gene assay with genetically modified yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This reporter gene assay is based on the activation of the human estrogen receptor alpha. This method is applicable to: — fresh water; — waste water; — aqueous extracts and leachates; — eluates of sediments (fresh water); — pore water; — aqueous solutions of single substances or of chemical mixtures; — drinking water. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of this method for the direct analysis of water samples is between 8 ng/l and 15 ng/l 17β-estradiol equivalents (EEQ) based on the results of the international interlaboratory trial (see Annex F). The upper threshold of the dynamic range for this test is between 120 ng/l and 160 ng/l 17β-estradiol equivalents (EEQ). Samples showing estrogenic potencies above this threshold have to be diluted for a valid quantification. Extraction and pre-concentration of water samples can prove necessary, if their estrogenic potential is below the given LOQ.