Polar organic chemical integrative sampling and liquid chromatography-electrospray/ion-trap mass spectrometry for assessing selected prescription and illicit drugs in treated sewage effluents

The purpose of the research presented in this paper was twofold: (1) to demonstrate the coupling of two state-of-the-art techniques: a time-weighted polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) and microliquid chromatography-electrospray/ion-trap mass spectrometry and (2) to assess the ability...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology 2004-10, Vol.47 (4), p.427-439
Main Authors: Jones-Lepp, T L, Alvarez, D A, Petty, J D, Huckins, J N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biota
Chromatography
Chromatography, Liquid
Drug Prescriptions
Drugs
Ecstasy
Effluent treatment
Effluents
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Humans
Liquid chromatography
Mass Spectrometry
Methamphetamine
Organic chemicals
Population density
Receiving waters
Risk Assessment
Scientific imaging
Sewage - chemistry
Sewage treatment
Waste Disposal, Fluid
Wastewater treatment plants
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water treatment
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Summary:The purpose of the research presented in this paper was twofold: (1) to demonstrate the coupling of two state-of-the-art techniques: a time-weighted polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) and microliquid chromatography-electrospray/ion-trap mass spectrometry and (2) to assess the ability of these methodologies to detect six drugs (azithromycin, fluoxetine, omeprazole, levothyroxine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA]) in a real-world environment, e.g., waste water effluent. In the effluent from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), azithromycin was detected at concentrations ranging from 15 to 66 ng/L, which is equivalent to a total annual release of 1 to 4 kg into receiving waters. Detected and confirmed in the effluent from two WWTPs were two illicit drugs, methamphetamine and MDMA, at 2 and 0.5 ng/L, respectively. Although the ecotoxicologic significance of drugs in environmental matrices, particularly water, has not been closely examined, it can only be surmised that these substances have the potential to adversely affect biota that are continuously exposed to them even at very low levels. The potential for chronic effects on human health is also unknown but of increasing concern because of the multiuse character of water, particularly in densely populated, arid areas.
ISSN:0090-4341
1432-0703
DOI:10.1007/s00244-004-3146-6