Abstract Past research has shown that steroid hormones and other endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are present in environmental water, with implications for human and wildlife health. Abortion providers have shifted a large part of their practice to medication-induced abortion, using the anti-progesterone synthetic steroid hormone mifepristone. We wanted to see if mifepristone, an EDC, could be detected in water sources. Water samples were collected from sites upstream and downstream of water treatment facilities, and from municipal tap water, from each of 3 American cities. The water samples were tested for mifepristone using PR CALUX®. There were significant levels of mifepristone (up to 0.041 μgram/l) in the water of all but one of the nine sampling classes. Because of the plethora of effects of progesterone, this contaminant could affect the physiology of aquatic animals; and human health, including fertility, pregnancy and fetal development. The findings indicate the necessity for significant additional investigation into the levels of various hormones and EDCs, including mifepristone, in water sources.
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