Spatial and Temporal Drug Usage Patterns in Wastewater Correlate with Socioeconomic and Demographic Indicators in Southern Nevada.

Evaluating drug use within populations in the United States poses significant challenges due to various social, ethical, and legal constraints, often impeding the collection of accurate and timely data. Here, we aimed to overcome these barriers by conducting a comprehensive analysis of drug consumption trends and measuring their association with socioeconomic and demographic factors. From May 2022 to April 2023, we analyzed 208 wastewater samples from eight sampling locations across six wastewater treatment plants in Southern Nevada, covering a population of 2.4 million residents with 50 million annual tourists. Using bi-weekly influent wastewater samples, we employed mass spectrometry to detect 39 analytes, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and high risk substances (HRS). Our results revealed a significant increase over time in the level of stimulants such as cocaine (pFDR=1.40×10-10) and opioids, particularly norfentanyl (pFDR =1.66×10-12), while PPCPs exhibited seasonal variation such as peak usage of DEET, an active ingredient in insect repellents, during the summer (pFDR =0.05). Wastewater from socioeconomically disadvantaged or rural areas, as determined by Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Rural-Urban Commuting Area Codes (RUCA) scores, demonstrated distinct overall usage patterns, such as higher usage/concentration of HRS, including cocaine (p=0.05) and norfentanyl (p=1.64×10-5). Our approach offers a near real-time, comprehensive tool to assess drug consumption and personal care product usage at a community level, linking wastewater patterns to socioeconomic and demographic factors. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance public health monitoring strategies in the United States.

Biotransformation and sorption of trace organic compounds in biological nutrient removal treatment systems.

This study determined biotransformation rates (kbio) and sorption-distribution coefficients (Kd) for a select group of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) in anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic activated sludge collected from two different biological nutrient removal (BNR) treatment systems located in Nevada (NV) and Ohio (OH) in the United States (US). The NV and OH facilities operated at solids retention times (SRTs) of 8 and 23 days, respectively. Using microwave-assisted extraction, the biotransformation rates of the chosen TOrCs were measured in the total mixed liquor. Sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and atenolol biotransformed in all three redox regimes irrespective of the activated sludge source. The biotransformation of N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), triclosan, and benzotriazole was observed in aerobic activated sludge from both treatment plants; however, anoxic biotransformation of these three compounds was seen only in anoxic activated sludge from NV. Carbamazepine was recalcitrant in all three redox regimes and both sources of activated sludge. Atenolol and DEET had greater biotransformation rates in activated sludge with a higher SRT (23 days), while trimethoprim had a higher biotransformation rate in activated sludge with a lower SRT (8 days). The remaining compounds did not show any dependence on SRT. Lyophilized, heat inactivated sludge solids were used to determine the sorption-distribution coefficients. Triclosan was the most sorptive compound followed by carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, DEET, and benzotriazole. The sorption-distribution coefficients were similar across redox conditions and sludge sources. The biotransformation rates and sorption-distribution coefficients determined in this study can be used to improve fate prediction of the target TOrCs in BNR treatment systems.

Association between degradation of pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds and microbial communities along a treated wastewater effluent gradient in Lake Mead.

The role of microbial communities in the degradation of trace organic contaminants in the environment is little understood. In this study, the biotransformation potential of 27 pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds was examined in parallel with a characterization of the native microbial community in water samples from four sites variously impacted by urban run-off and wastewater discharge in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, USA. Samples included relatively pristine Colorado River water at the upper end of the lake, nearly pure tertiary-treated municipal wastewater entering via the Las Vegas Wash, and waters of mixed influence (Las Vegas Bay and Boulder Basin), which represented a gradient of treated wastewater effluent impact. Microbial diversity analysis based on 16S rRNA gene censuses revealed the community at this site to be distinct from the less urban-impacted locations, although all sites were similar in overall diversity and richness. Similarly, Biolog EcoPlate assays demonstrated that the microbial community at Las Vegas Wash was the most metabolically versatile and active. Organic contaminants added as a mixture to laboratory microcosms were more rapidly and completely degraded in the most wastewater-impacted sites (Las Vegas Wash and Las Vegas Bay), with the majority exhibiting shorter half-lives than at the other sites or in a bacteriostatic control. Although the reasons for enhanced degradation capacity in the wastewater-impacted sites remain to be established, these data are consistent with the acclimatization of native microorganisms (either through changes in community structure or metabolic regulation) to effluent-derived trace contaminants. This study suggests that in urban, wastewater-impacted watersheds, prior exposure to organic contaminants fundamentally alters the structure and function of microbial communities, which in turn translates into greater potential for the natural attenuation of these compounds compared to more pristine sites.

Results of an interlaboratory comparison of analytical methods for contaminants of emerging concern in water.

An evaluation of existing analytical methods used to measure contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) was performed through an interlaboratory comparison involving 25 research and commercial laboratories. In total, 52 methods were used in the single-blind study to determine method accuracy and comparability for 22 target compounds, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and steroid hormones, all at ng/L levels in surface and drinking water. Method biases ranged from <10% to well over 100% in both matrixes, suggesting that while some methods are accurate, others can be considerably inaccurate. In addition, the number and degree of outliers identified suggest a high degree of variability may be present between methods currently in use. Three compounds, ciprofloxacin, 4-nonylphenol (NP), and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), were especially difficult to measure accurately. While most compounds had overall false positive rates of ≤5%, bisphenol A, caffeine, NP, OP, and triclosan had false positive rates >15%. In addition, some methods reported false positives for 17ß-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol in unspiked drinking water and deionized water, respectively, at levels higher than published predicted no-effect concentrations for these compounds in the environment. False negative rates were also generally <5%; however, rates were higher for the steroid hormones and some of the more challenging compounds, such as ciprofloxacin. The elevated false positive/negative rates of some analytes emphasize the susceptibility of many current methods to blank contamination, misinterpretation of background interferences, and/or inappropriate setting of detection/quantification levels for analysis at low ng/L levels. The results of both comparisons were collectively assessed to identify parameters that resulted in the best overall method performance. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled with the calibration technique of isotope dilution were able to accurately quantify most compounds with an average bias of <10% for both matrixes. These findings suggest that this method of analysis is suitable at environmentally relevant levels for most of the compounds studied. This work underscores the need for robust, standardized analytical methods for CECs to improve data quality, increase comparability between studies, and help reduce false positive and false negative rates.

Treatment of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in U.S. full-scale water treatment systems.

The near ubiquitous presence of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in humans has raised concerns about potential human health effects from these chemicals, some of which are both extremely persistent and bioaccumulative. Because some of these chemicals are highly water soluble, one major pathway for human exposure is the consumption of contaminated drinking water. This study measured concentrations of PFASs in 18 raw drinking water sources and 2 treated wastewater effluents and evaluated 15 full-scale treatment systems for the attenuation of PFASs in water treatment utilities throughout the U.S. A liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry method was used to enable measurement of a suite of 23 PFASs, including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs). Despite the differences in reporting levels, the PFASs that were detected in >70% of the source water samples (n = 39) included PFSAs, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (74%), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (79%), and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (84%), and PFCAs, perfluoropentanoic acid (74%), perfluorohexanoic acid (79%), perfluoroheptanoic acid (74%), and perfluorooctanoic acid (74%). More importantly, water treatment techniques such as ferric or alum coagulation, granular/micro-/ultra- filtration, aeration, oxidation (i.e., permanganate, ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide), and disinfection (i.e., ozonation, chlorine dioxide, chlorination, and chloramination) were mostly ineffective in removing PFASs. However, anion exchange and granular activated carbon treatment preferably removed longer-chain PFASs and the PFSAs compared to the PFCAs, and reverse osmosis demonstrated significant removal for all the PFASs, including the smallest PFAS, perfluorobutanoic acid.

Contaminants of emerging concern in municipal wastewater effluents and marine receiving water.

The occurrence and concentrations of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) were investigated in municipal effluents and in marine receiving water. Final effluent from four large publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and seawater collected near the respective POTW outfall discharges and a reference station were collected quarterly over one year and analyzed for 56 CECs. Several CECs were detected in effluents; naproxen, gemfibrozil, atenolol, and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate were the compounds most frequently found and with the highest concentrations (>1 µg/L). Gemfibrozil and naproxen had the highest seawater concentrations (0.0009 and 0.0007 µg/L) and also were among the most frequently detected compounds. Effluent dilution factors ranged from >400 to approximately 1,000. Fewer CECs were detected and at lower concentrations in seawater collected from the reference station than at the outfall sites. Effluent concentrations for some CECs (e.g., pharmaceuticals) were inversely related to the degree of wastewater treatment. This trend was not found in seawater samples. Few temporal differences were observed in effluent or seawater samples. Effluent CEC concentrations were lower than those currently known for chronic toxicity thresholds. Nevertheless, the evaluation of potential chronic effects for CECs is uncertain because aquatic life toxicity thresholds have been developed for only a few CECs, and the effluent and seawater samples had compounds, such as nonylphenol, known to bioaccumulate in local fish. Additional data are needed to better understand the significance of CEC presence and concentrations in marine environments.

Transformation of 1H-benzotriazole by ozone in aqueous solution.

Recent studies have shown that 1H-benzotriazole is a widespread contaminant of wastewater and surface water. Although disinfection by ozone has been shown to efficiently remove this compound, the transformation products have not been identified. To that end, the reaction of ozone with 1H-benzotriazole in aqueous solution has been studied in real time employing quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS) and negative electrospray ionization. The transformation products have been identified by calculating their empirical formulas using accurate mass measurements, and further confirmed by performing the reaction with stable isotope-labeled 1H-benzotriazole and measuring product ion spectra. Stable reaction products were distinguished from transient species by plotting their extracted mass profiles. The products that resulted from ozone and hydroxyl radicals in the reaction were qualitatively identified by modifying the conditions to either promote the formation of hydroxyl radicals, or to scavenge them. Based on experimental evidence, a mechanism for the direct reaction between ozone and 1H-benzotriazole is proposed that results in the formation of 1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarbaldehyde, which has an empirical formula of C(4)H(3)O(2)N(3). Lastly, it was confirmed that the same transformation products formed in surface water and tertiary-treated wastewater, although they were observed to degrade at higher ozone doses.

Artificial sweetener sucralose in U.S. drinking water systems.

The artificial sweetener sucralose has recently been shown to be a widespread of contaminant of wastewater, surface water, and groundwater. In order to understand its occurrence in drinking water systems, water samples from 19 United States (U.S.) drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) serving more than 28 million people were analyzed for sucralose using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sucralose was found to be present in source water of 15 out of 19 DWTPs (47-2900 ng/L), finished water of 13 out of 17 DWTPs (49-2400 ng/L) and distribution system water of 8 out of the 12 DWTPs (48-2400 ng/L) tested. Sucralose was only found to be present in source waters with known wastewater influence and/or recreational usage, and displayed low removal (12% average) in the DWTPs where finished water was sampled. Further, in the subset of DWTPs with distribution system water sampled, the compound was found to persist regardless of the presence of residual chlorine or chloramines. In order to understand intra-DWTP consistency, sucralose was monitored at one drinking water treatment plant over an 11 month period from March 2010 through January 2011, and averaged 440 ng/L in the source water and 350 ng/L in the finished water. The results of this study confirm that sucralose will function well as an indicator compound for anthropogenic influence on source, finished drinking and distribution system (i.e., tap) water, as well as an indicator compound for the presence of other recalcitrant compounds in finished drinking water in the U.S.

Two new methods of synthesis for the perbromate ion: chemistry and determination by LC-MS/MS.

Historically, the synthesis of perbromate ion through conventional oxidation routes has proven elusive. Herein, we report perbromate ion formation through the reaction of hypobromite and bromate ions in an alkaline sodium hypobromite solution. Formation was established via LC-MS/MS analysis of the bromate and perbromate ions in the reaction solutions over a 13-day period. Furthermore, it was discovered that the perbromate ion was also formed as a result of the electrospray ionization process. Selective reduction of the bromate ion prior to analysis was used to confirm the two formation pathways.

Assessment of sample preservation techniques for pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and steroids in surface and drinking water.

Proper collection and preservation techniques are necessary to ensure sample integrity and maintain the stability of analytes until analysis. Data from improperly collected and preserved samples could lead to faulty conclusions and misinterpretation of the occurrence and fate of the compounds being studied. Because contaminants of emerging concern, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and steroids, generally occur in surface and drinking water at ng/L levels, these compounds in particular require such protocols to accurately assess their concentrations. In this study, sample bottle types, residual oxidant quenching agents, preservation agents, and hold times were assessed for 21 PPCPs and steroids in surface water and finished drinking water. Amber glass bottles were found to have the least effect on target analyte concentrations, while high-density polyethylene bottles had the most impact. Ascorbic acid, sodium thiosulfate, and sodium sulfite were determined to be acceptable quenching agents and preservation with sodium azide at 4 °C led to the stability of the most target compounds. A combination of amber glass bottles, ascorbic acid, and sodium azide preserved analyte concentrations for 28 days in the tested matrices when held at 4 °C. Samples without a preservation agent were determined to be stable for all but two of the analytes when stored in amber glass bottles at 4 °C for 72 h. Results suggest that if improper protocols are utilized, reported concentrations of target PPCPs and steroids may be inaccurate.

A QSAR-like analysis of the adsorption of endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products on modified activated carbons.

Rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs) examined the removal of 29 endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceutical/personal care products (PPCPs). The RSSCTs employed three lignite variants: HYDRODARCO 4000 (HD4000), steam-modified HD4000, and methane/steam-modified HD4000. RSSCTs used native Lake Mead, NV water spiked with 100-200 ppt each of 29 EDCs/PPCPs. For the steam and methane/steam variants, breakthrough occurred at 14,000-92,000 bed volumes (BV); and this was 3-4 times more bed volumes than for HD4000. Most EDC/PPCP bed life data were describable by a normalized quantitative structure-activity relationship (i.e. QSAR-like model) of the form: where TPV is the pore volume, rho(mc) is the apparent density, CV is the molecular volume, C(o) is the concentration, (8)chi(p) depicts the molecule's compactness, and FOSA is the molecule's hydrophobic surface area.

On-line solid phase extraction LC-MS/MS analysis of pharmaceutical indicators in water: a green alternative to conventional methods.

A method using automated on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) directly coupled to liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed for the analysis of six pharmaceuticals by isotope dilution. These selected pharmaceuticals were chosen as representative indicator compounds and were used to evaluate the performance of the on-line SPE method in four distinct water matrices. Method reporting limits (MRLs) ranged from 10 to 25 ng/L, based on a 1 mL extraction volume. Matrix spike recoveries ranged from 88 to 118% for all matrices investigated, including finished drinking water, surface water, wastewater effluent and septic tank influent. Precision tests were performed at 50 and 1000 ng/L with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 1.3 and 5.7%. A variety of samples were also extracted using a traditional off-line automated SPE method for comparison. Results for both extraction methods were in good agreement; however, on-line SPE used approximately 98% less solvent and less time. On-line SPE coupled to LC-MS/MS analysis for selected indicators offers an alternative, more environmentally friendly, method for pharmaceutical analysis in water by saving time and costs while reducing hazardous waste and potential environmental pollution as compared with off-line SPE methods.

Pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds in U.S. drinking water.

The drinking water for more than 28 million people was screened for a diverse group of pharmaceuticals, potential endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), and other unregulated organic contaminants. Source water, finished drinking water, and distribution system (tap) water from 19 U.S. water utilities was analyzed for 51 compounds between 2006 and 2007. The 11 most frequently detected compounds were atenolol, atrazine, carbamazepine, estrone, gemfibrozil, meprobamate, naproxen, phenytoin, sulfamethoxazole, TCEP, and trimethoprim. Median concentrations of these compounds were less than 10 ng/L, except for sulfamethoxazole in source water (12 ng/L), TCEP in source water (120 ng/L), and atrazine in source, finished, and distribution system water (32, 49, and 49 ng/L). Atrazine was detected in source waters far removed from agricultural application where wastewater was the only known source of organic contaminants. The occurrence of compounds in finished drinking water was controlled by the type of chemical oxidation (ozone or chlorine) used at each plant. At one drinking water treatment plant, summed monthly concentrations of the detected analytes in source and finished water are reported. Atenolol, atrazine, DEET, estrone, meprobamate, and trimethoprim can serve as indicator compounds representing potential contamination from other pharmaceuticals and EDCs and can gauge the efficacy of treatment processes.

Characterization of fulvic acids by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Fulvic acid standards from Suwannee River, Pony Lake, Elliot Soil, Waskish Peat, and Nordic Reservoir were characterized by liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) operating in negative electrospray ionization mode. The method employed a commercially available stationary phase that resulted in a distinctive chromatographic peak for each of the fulvic acid samples that differed in width and retention time at peak maximum. The QTOF-MS, operating in TOF mode, revealed that the unique chromatographic peak shapes were the result of the relative fraction of hydrogen and oxygen contained in various fulvic acid components. Those species that contained larger amount of hydrogen displayed a larger mass defect and were retained longer on the LC column, indicating reduced polarity. This is supported by a reduction in the degree of fragmentation related to polar functional groups as the mass defect and retention time increased. Lastly, the analysis of even and odd mass (at m/z 1 greater) ion intensity ratios revealed a correlation to the percent nitrogen of the various standards.

Real-time detection and identification of aqueous chlorine transformation products using QTOF MS.

A screening technique has been developed that allows the rapid, real-time detection and identification of major transformation products of organic contaminants during aqueous oxidation experiments. In this technique, a target contaminant is dissolved in buffered water and chlorinated by the addition of sodium hypochlorite to give a free chlorine residual of 3 mg/L. Solution from the reaction vessel is combined with methanol and pumped directly into the electrospray ionization source of a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QTOF MS). The real-time decay of the target contaminant and the formation/decay of transformation products are then monitored using the QTOF MS. Subsequently, accurate mass measurements with internal mass calibration (<5 ppm mass error) and product ion scans are employed to identify these transformation products. Unlike other techniques, it requires no liquid chromatography, derivatization, or quenching of residual chlorine, all of which can interfere with transformation product analysis. To validate the technique, aqueous chlorination experiments were performed on triclosan, a previously studied environmental contaminant. Earlier research showing that triclosan underwent chlorine addition to form mono- and dichlorinated transformation products was successfully reproduced, demonstrating the feasibility of the technique. In addition, the technique revealed the formation of a stable oxygen radical-containing transformation product resulting from the oxidation of either mono- or dichlorinated triclosan. This triclosan transformation product was determined to have an empirical formula of C12H4O3Cl4 with 3.9 ppm mass error. Furthermore, atorvastatin, a commonly prescribed medication and environmental contaminant, was subjected to aqueous chlorination and studied with the technique. Atorvastatin underwent hydroxylation to form two transformation products with the empirical formulas C33H34FN2O6 (1.8 ppm mass error) and C26H29O5NF (2.9 ppm mass error).

Determination of household chemicals using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

A method has been developed for the determination of 24 household high production volume (HPV) chemicals in municipal wastewater systems using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analyses using both gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, each with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS). Target compounds include pesticides, antioxidants, fragrances, plasticizers, preservatives and personal care products. Method reporting limits ranged from 0.1 to 100 ng/L in water and recoveries for most compounds were between 54 and 112%. Household HPVs were consistently detected in raw sewage entering three full-scale wastewater treatment plants. Compounds such as vanillin, DEET, benzophenone, 3-indolebutyric acid, bisphenol A, triclosan and triclocarban were detected in all wastewater influent and effluent samples, but were significantly lower in the effluent. Many of the remaining compounds were detected in the influent, but below detection in effluent samples. Menthol and phenoxyethanol had the highest observed concentrations in influent samples ranging from 1.5 to 13 microg/L for menthol, and 8.8 to 22 microg/L for phenoxyethanol. MGK-11, methylresorcinol, trifluralin, hexabromododecane, acriflavin and atrazine were not detected in any samples. The method described here detects a broad range of HPV chemicals with great sensitivity and selectivity.

Analysis of p-chlorobenzoic acid in water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

para-Chlorobenzoic acid (p-CBA) is typically used as a probe compound to indirectly quantify hydroxyl radicals formed during advanced oxidation processes used in drinking water and wastewater treatment. A method has been developed for the sensitive analysis of p-CBA in water using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A reporting limit in water of 100 ng/L was determined for the method, which is 40-fold lower than the 4.0 microg/L reporting limit of the widely used liquid chromatography with UV detection (LC-UV) method. The method was found to be robust in difficult matrices such as wastewater and highly selective, unlike LC-UV which relies on non-specific detection at 234 nm. The detection of p-CBA below 1 microg/L during bench-scale ozonation of wastewater after hydrogen peroxide addition was demonstrated. Duplicate samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and LC-UV and results were found to be comparable at concentrations quantifiable by both methods.

Occurrence and removal of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors in South Korean surface, drinking, and waste waters.

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) was used to measure the concentrations of 14 pharmaceuticals, 6 hormones, 2 antibiotics, 3 personal care products (PCPs), and 1 flame retardant in surface waters and wastewater treatment plant effluents in South Korea. Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), iopromide, naproxen, carbamazepine, and caffeine were quite frequently observed (>80%) in both surface waters and effluents. The analytes of greatest concentration were iopromide, TCEP, sulfamethoxazole, and carbamazepine. However, the primary estrogen hormones, 17alpha-ethynylestradiol and 17beta-estradiol, were rarely detected, while estrone was detected in both surface water and wastewater effluent. The elimination of these chemicals during drinking water and wastewater treatment processes at full- and pilot-scale also was investigated. Conventional drinking water treatment methods were relatively inefficient for contaminant removal, while efficient removal (approximately equal to 99%) was achieved by granular activated carbon (GAC). In wastewater treatment processes, membrane bioreactors (MBR) showed limited target compound removal, but were effective at eliminating hormones and some pharmaceuticals (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and caffeine). Membrane filtration processes using reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) showed excellent removal (>95%) for all target analytes.

Analysis of pharmaceuticals in water by isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

A method has been developed for the trace analysis of 15 pharmaceuticals, four metabolites of pharmaceuticals, three potential endocrine disruptors, and one personal care product in various waters. The method employs solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), using electrospray ionization (ESI) in both positive and negative modes. Unlike many previous LC-MS/MS methods, which suffer from matrix suppression, this method uses isotope dilution for each compound to correct for matrix suppression, as well as SPE losses and instrument variability. The method was tested in five matrices, and results indicate that the method is very robust. Matrix spike recoveries for all compounds were between 88 and 106% for wastewater influent, 85 and 108% for wastewater effluent, 72 and 105% for surface water impacted by wastewater, 96 and 113% for surface water, and 91 and 116% for drinking water. The method reporting limits for all compounds were between 0.25 and 1.0 ng/L, based on 500 mL of sample extracted and a final extract volume of 500 microL. Occurrence of the compounds in all five matrices is also reported.

Broad range analysis of endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been globally detected in impacted natural waters. The detection of trace quantities of EDCs and PPCPs in the environment is of great concern since some of these compounds have known physiological responses at low concentrations. EDCs can have a wide range of polarities, acidic and basic moieties, and exist in trace quantities, which often requires numerous complex extractions, large sample collection volumes, and multiple instrumental analyses. A comprehensive method has been developed allowing for the analysis of 58 potential EDCs in various water matrices using a single solid-phase extraction (SPE) of a 1L sample with subsequent analyses using both gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, each coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS). Instrument detection limits ranged between 0.12-7.5 pg with corresponding method reporting limits of 1-10 ng l(-1) in water. Recoveries for most compounds were between 50% and 112% with good reproducibility (RSD 6-22%).