Occurrence of Selected Known or Suspected Endocrine-Disrupting Pesticides in Portuguese Surface Waters Using SPME-GC-IT/MS

José Vera,Luísa Correia-Sá,Valentina F Domingues,Cristina Delerue-Matos,Catarina Mansilha,Virgínia Cruz Fernandes

doi:10.3390/separations8060081

Abstract

A multiresidue analytical methodology based on a solid-phase microextraction (SPME), followed by gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC–IT/MS), has been developed for trace analysis of 20 known or suspected endocrine-disrupting pesticides. The SPME conditions are optimized considering several key parameters to obtain the maximum sensitivity. After the optimization, the method validation is performed, and the limits of detection (ranged from 2–150 ng/L) and the coefficient of determination (above 0.990) of studied compounds are determined for all the analytes. A robust sampling of twenty sampling points of surface water samples from the north and center of Portugal is performed, and the validated methodology is applied. In total, 20 compounds from four chemical families (13 organochlorine, 1 organophosphorus, 2 dicarboximide, and 4 pyrethroids) are studied, and the pesticides most frequently detected are eight organochlorine pesticides (α-, β-HCHs, lindane, HCB, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, α-endosulfan), cypermethrin, and vinclozolin.

Highlights

IntroductionThe endocrine-disruptors compounds (EDCs) can be different chemical groups, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, among others [2]
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The term endocrine-disruptors have been generally used to call compounds with characteristics in common, namely, with the capability to mimic the actions of hormones interfering with the behavior of endocrine systems in various living species [1]

Summary

Introduction

The endocrine-disruptors compounds (EDCs) can be different chemical groups, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, among others [2]. Most of these are released to the environment by anthropogenic activities and may coexist and accumulate in crops and human bodies through food chains, posing risks to human health and the ecosystem [3,4]. The other chemical families of pesticides (e.g., OPs, carbamates, and PYR) are placed on the market as alternatives to OCs, and they are described as being less persistent, but more acutely toxic to control insect pests [8,9].

Methods

Results

Conclusion