4-Androstene-3,17-Dione is a steroid hormone found in human and animal waste. It can enter water through agricultural runoff or sewage and may disrupt endocrine function.

4-Androstene-3,17-Dione is a naturally occurring steroid hormone produced by both humans and animals. It can contaminate water sources primarily through agricultural runoff from livestock operations and inadequately treated sewage. Environmental agencies typically measure its presence in water using sensitive analytical techniques like mass spectrometry. While research on its specific health impacts in drinking water is limited, it belongs to a class of compounds known as endocrine disruptors, which can potentially interfere with hormonal systems in humans and wildlife.