Automated sample preparation and GC-API-MS/MS as a powerful tool for analysis of legacy POPs in human serum and plasma

An automated high-throughput SPE method for selected persistent organic pollutants comprising 17 organochlorine pesticides, 22 polychlorinated biphenyls, 9 polybrominated diphenylethers and octachlorostyrene in human serum and plasma was developed.

Occurrence of chemicals with known or suspected endocrine disrupting activity in drinking water, groundwater and surface water, Austria 2017/2018

Summary Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can cause adverse effects in individuals and their offspring. In 2017 and 2018, we performed a survey on representative samples of Austrian drinking water (n = 20), groundwater (n = 22), and surface water (n = 12), the latter including bathing water (n = 5) and rivers (n = 7). We analyzed 54 samples for 28 parameters, including estrogens, polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), phthalates, perfluoroalkyl substances, alkylphenols, bisphenol A and triclosan, correlating to 1512 measurements. In 39 of the 54 samples (72.2%), at least one endocrine disrupting or potentially disrupting chemical was found at or above the limit of quantification. None of the samples yielded estrogens or triclosan in detectable levels. Bisphenol A (BPA) was detected in 4 (20.0%) samples of drinking water, in 1 (4.5%) groundwater sample, and in 1 (20%) bathing water sample, with a maximum concentration of 0.021 μg/l found in one drinking water. Two drinking water samples yielded BPA in concentrations above the limit value of 0.01 μg/l, recently proposed by the European Commission for drinking water. Therefore, the ultimate public health goal must be to further reduce and restrict the production of EDCs and therewith decrease and eventually eliminate the contamination of drinking water resources.

Analysis of halogenated flame retardants in Canadian wastewater treatment plants using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

An investigation of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), and chlorinated flame retardants was conducted in samples from Canadian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The penta-BDE mixture and deca-BDE were most commonly detected. Median removal efficiencies of PBDEs by WWTPs were 71% to 99% and higher concentrations of PBDEs were found in influent samples in summer, compared to winter. Three novel brominated flame retardants (nBFRs) including 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTeBB or TBB), and bis(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)tetrabromophthalate (BEHTBP or TBPH) were detected in greater than 80% of influents and biosolids. Median removal efficiencies were 45% to 99% for BTBPE, 63% to 99% for TBB, and 88% to 99% for TBPH. Detection of total dechlorane plus ((DP) syn and anti) was greater than 90% in both wastewater and biosolids samples. However, median removal efficiencies were between 51% and 66% for total DP. Overall, PBDEs were effectively removed via different treatment processes, while BTBPE, TBB, and DP exhibited lower removal rates, which could be due to their physical chemical properties.

Selected EPs in the water of certain Polish lakes and rivers

Negative and effectively “irreversible” changes in the environment have often been caused by one or more factors including the intensive development of new technologies, progressing urbanisation and - above all - insufficient knowledge of the properties and toxic effects of many chemicals used. Hundreds of non-natural compounds capable of exerting a negative effect on the natural environment have now been identified in it, including within the broad categories of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Such new and emerging pollutants pose a serious threat to living organisms on account of their tendency to accumulate in certain parts of the environment. Furthermore, the substances in question may prove toxic and harmful to human beings and the environment even at low concentrations. Work described here thus had as its objective an analysis of the pollution of surface water in Poland in terms of content of organic compounds in general, and the aforementioned emerging organic pollutants in particular. Results confirm the presence in waters of such substances as phthalic esters, polybrominated diphenylethers, and organic tin compounds. Reference to average values for individual parameters in the cases of different rivers and lakes further show that, as of 2014-15, the various Polish surface waters researched were characterised by similar levels of pollution, other than in the case of naphthalene.