© Mikkel Bigandt/Dollar Photo Club
Direct determination of trace hormones in drinking water
Endocrine disrupting compounds can now be directly assayed in drinking water without using a solidphase extraction concentration step.
T
he exposure of fish, wildlife and humans
ng/L concentrations of individual compounds may
Both regulations require highly sensitive and
still be present in effluents. Runoff from cattle given
selective methods with ng/L or pg/L reporting levels.
some growth promoters and sludge and manure
Previously published methods typically use solid-
applied to agricultural fields are other sources of
phase extraction as a concentration step to achieve the
hormone contamination.
regulatory reporting limits; however, this approach
to water contaminated with trace levels of hormones
In North American and European cities,
is causing concern globally as awareness grows about
wastewater treatment plant effluent is frequently
Direct analysis of hormones in water regulated
the endocrine disruption potential of such exposure.
indirectly re-used as treated water is discharged
by EPA Method 539 and UCMR 3 is now possible.
Endocrine disrupting compounds may interfere with
into rivers which are also a source of drinking
The integration of a high-volume injection cycle
the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse
water. Consequently, there is the possibility that
with a highly robust and sensitive MS/MS detection
developmental, reproductive, neurological and
trace amounts of hormones may penetrate into
system has resulted in an effective solution for routine
immune effects. The hormones of concern include
drinking water even after special treatment processes.
hormone analysis in drinking water without the need
naturally occurring steroids such as estrone (E1),
Several hormones are routinely monitored by the
for extensive sample preparation using conventional
17-β-estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3), and synthetically
US EPA in drinking water as part of the Unregulated
SPE methods.
prepared ones such as 17-α-ethynylestradiol (EE2).
Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3).
adds an additional expense and complexity.
The hormones enter the aquatic environment in
These include estrone, estriol, 17-β-estradiol,
Method development
a variety of ways but primarily through the discharge
equilin androstenedione, testosterone and
Previously published methods for the analysis
of treated and untreated sewage water. During
17-α-ethynylestradiol. The European Union has
of endocrine disruptors have used ammonium
wastewater treatment these hormones are susceptible
identified a list of priority substances, which includes
hydroxide as the mobile modifier and it is the currently
to removal by biodegradation or sorption to sewage
estradiol and 17-α-ethynylestradiol (Directive
recommended approach in EPA method 539.
sludge, where secondary treatment can consistently
2013/39/EU amending Directives 2000/60/EC and
reduce concentrations by more than 85%; however,
2008/105/EC).
22 | LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - April 2016
In this study, ammonium fluoride was tested at different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 mM)
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