Identification and Quantification of Phthalates in Drinking, River and Lake Water using Solid phase extraction followed by UHPLC-MS

Abstract

Phthalates are endocrine disruptive compounds that are commonly employed in everyday consumer items. Anti-androgenic action is the possible negative consequences are associated with phthalates and hence there is growing worry regarding human exposure to phthalates. It is critical to have a validated analytical approach that can measure trace quantities of phthalate metabolites in drinking water when investigating environmental exposure to phthalates. In this investigation, we developed and validated an accurate, sensitive and robust LC–MS technique to concurrently detect six phthalates in drinking water samples: dimethyl (DMP), diethyl (DEP), dipentyl (DPrP), diisobutyl (DIBP), dibutyl (DBP) and dioctyl (DOP). These analytes were quantified by using LC– MS system with electrospray ionization. The validated approach has been utilised effectively in measuring phthalate exposure in drinking water samples and water samples collected at various locations. Packaged drinking water samples separated into two groups, room temperature samples (15 days, 30 days, 60 days, 120 days, 150 days and 180 days) and heated samples at 50 oC with similar interval samples.