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Researchers at the University of Ulster have developed a simple way to remove
the female hormone oestrogen from water supplies. Using a technique similar to
methods developed for other contaminants
(This Week, 13 February, p 23), Brian
Eggins and his colleagues add a powdered titanium dioxide catalyst to
contaminated water and then illuminate the water with ultraviolet light. An
oestrogen molecule contains four hydrocarbon rings with oxygen bound to two: the
catalyst breaks the molecule down by oxidising it to carbon dioxide and
water.