A new method for monitoring oestrogens, N-octylphenol, and bisphenol A in wastewater treatment plants by solid-phase extraction–gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

A new analytical method, based on solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB sorbent and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, has been described for the simultaneous determination of various oestrogens (oestrone, oestradiol, ethynyloestradiol, and diethylstilboestrol) and other compounds considered as endocrine disrupters (bisphenol A and 4-octylphenol) in wastewater. The usual derivatization step is avoided so as to provide a faster and easy method, which is very suitable for routine monitoring. The injection of high sample volumes (8 μL) allowed determination limits in the range 2–20 ng L⁻¹. Recovery percentages ranged from 75 to 99% (except for 4-octylphenol, 30%) with RSDs<9%. The method was applied to water samples, from raw influents and treated effluents, from July 2003 to April 2004. Bisphenol A (<1.7 µg L⁻¹) and oestrone (<0.2 µg L⁻¹) were usually found, indicating partial elimination during wastewater treatment.

Keywords:

• Endocrine disruptors
• Wastewater
• Gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
• Oestrogens
• Sewage-treatment plants
• Bisphenol A

Acknowledgements

The Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (Project No. PPQ2001-1805-C03-03) financially supported this study.