New analytical method for the determination of musks in personal care products by Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe extraction followed by GC-MS

Analytical methods for the determination of endocrine disrupting chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products: A review

Personal care products (PCPs) and cosmetics are indispensable product in our daily routine. Their widespread use makes them a potential route of exposure for certain contaminants to which human would not be normally exposed. One of these contaminants includes endocrine disrupting chemicals, molecules capable of mimicking the body's natural hormones and interfering with the endocrine system. Some of them are ingredients included in the product's formulation, such as UV-filters (sunscreens), phthalates (plasticizers and preservatives), synthetic musks (fragrances), parabens and other antimicrobial agents (antimicrobial preservatives). Others are non-intended added substances that may result from the manufacturing process or migration from the plastic packaging, as with bisphenols and perfluorinated compounds. Some of these endocrine disruptors have been restricted or even banned in cosmetics and PCPs given the high risk they pose to health. Thus, the development of fast, sensitive and precise methods for the identification and quantification of these compounds in cosmetics is a substantial need in order to ensure consumer safety and provide insight into the real risk of human exposure. The present work aims at reviewing the more recently developed analytical methods published in the literature for the determination of endocrine disrupting chemicals in cosmetics and PCPs using chromatographic techniques, with a focus on sample treatment and the quality of analytical parameters.

An innovative approach for the simultaneous quantitative screening of organic plastic additives in complex matrices in marine coastal areas

Aiming the simultaneous determination of widely used organic plastic additives in complex marine matrices, this work proposes a fast and "green" analytical protocol based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) technology. The validation of this innovative method on real matrices (i.e., sediments, mussel, fish, and Posidonia oceanica) indicated a general good performance in all of them for phthalate esters (PAEs), with low blank levels and average method recoveries varying from 54 ± 11 to 71 ± 12%. The best method performance for organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants and plasticizers was in biotic matrices (recoveries 52 ± 31 to 86 ± 38%). This application represents an innovative QuEChERS sequence of two dispersive solid-phase extraction (SPE) steps enabling this approach for the determination of important families of organic plastic additives in the marine environment. Indeed, our method allowed the fast screening and simultaneous determination of OPE and PAEs in various sites and matrices subject to different anthropogenic pressure in coastal NW Mediterranean Sea for the first time. ∑₇PAE and ∑₉OPE concentrations of 19-83 and 27-116 ng g^-1 dw (fish), of 80-714 and 42-71 ng g^-1 dw (mussels), of 192-908 and 47-151 ng g^-1 dw (Posidonia oceanica), and of 11-328 and 4-10 ng g^-1 dw (sediment) were measured, respectively. Our approach was sensible enough as to detect differences in the (bio)accumulation patterns of the target compounds in various species and/or sites. This application opens new perspectives for environmentally friendly marine environment monitoring and screening campaigns for organic plastic additives. Graphical abstract.

Assessment of dermal exposures for synthetic musks from personal care products in Taiwan

Over the past decades, synthetic musks have been widely used as fragrances for enhancing scent and covering odor in many personal care products (PCPs). The presence of synthetic musk is of potential concern since health effects, such as photo-allergic reactions and neurotoxicity due to the exposures have been observed. To assess the associate health risks from possible exposures of synthetic musks in Taiwan, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometers (GC/MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used to determine 10 synthetic musks in total 109 PCPs samples. The results showed that the higher levels of synthetic musks were found in perfume, body lotion and hair care products. Galaxolide (HHCB) and Tonalide (AHTN) were found in every category of the PCPs samples. The median concentrations in 109 samples measured were 958.19 μg g^-1 and 674.03 μg g^-1 for HHCB and AHTN, respectively. Cashmeran (DPMI) was also found in all the samples collected with a median concentration of 144.62 μg g^-1, except for categories of facial essences. Musk ketone (MK) was found in several PCPs categories, including perfume, body lotion, hair care product, and shower bath products, with a median concentration of 693.27 μg g^-1. In addition, dermal exposures of synthetic musks were also estimated for people in Taiwan. The daily exposure of total synthetic musks through applications of PCPs was estimated to be 22.54 μg kg^-1 body weight day^-1. The results indicate that the skin contact of perfume and body lotion were the major sources for human exposures to synthetic musks in Taiwan.

Synthetic Musks: A Class of Commercial Fragrance Additives in Personal Care Products (PCPs) Causing Concern as Emerging Contaminants

Synthetic musks (SMs) are promising fragrance additives used in personal care products (PCPs). The widespread presence of SMs in environmental media remains a serious risk because of their harmful effects. Recently, the environmental hazards of SMs have been widely reported in various environmental samples including those from coastal and marine regions. This paper provides a systematic review of SMs, including their classification, synthetic routes, analysis and occurrence in environmental samples, fate and toxicity in the environment, as well as the associated risk assessment and pollution control. Research gaps and future opportunities were also identified with the hope of raising interest in this topic.

Assessing seasonal variation of synthetic musks in beach sands from Oporto coastal area: A case study

Synthetic musk compounds are widely used in the formulation of several cosmetics, personal care and household products. Due to their massive and widespread use, together with some health concerns, they are considered emerging pollutants and have been detected in different environmental compartments. This study focused on the evaluation of the concentration of synthetic musks (five nitro, five polycyclic and one macrocyclic musks) in beach sands, from Oporto coastal area (Portugal), contributing to the enhancement of the knowledge of levels, trends and behaviour of these compounds in this particular matrix. To accomplish this task, a QuEChERS methodology ("Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe") coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was successfully used to determine synthetic musks from beach sand. The chosen methodology proved to be suitable, achieving satisfactory results for precision (relative standard deviation values below 15%), accuracy (average recovery of 97%) and limits of detection (below 38 pg g^-1). Synthetic musks were detected in all 45 analysed samples, in concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 27 ng g^-1_dw. Tonalide (93%), exaltolide (89%) and galaxolide (76%) were the most commonly detected compounds, but also those detected in higher concentrations (up to 27 ng g^-1_dw). Musk ambrette, moskene, tibetene and xylene were not detected in any of the samples. Higher concentrations were as expected detected in the Summer (total average concentration of 9.21 ng g^-1_dw), namely in samples from Valadares Sul (29 ng g^-1_dw), Francelos (25 ng g^-1_dw) and Castelo do Queijo (25 ng g^-1_dw). The preliminary environmental risk assessment study based on the determination of hazard quotients revealed that the presence of analysed compounds (tonalide, galaxolide and musk ketone) seems to pose no risk to the studied environmental compartment.

Volatile methylsiloxanes in personal care products - Using QuEChERS as a "green" analytical approach

Organosiloxanes, namely volatile methylsiloxanes (VMSs) are one of the most relevant classes of ingredients incorporated in personal care products (PCPs), such as creams and lotions, bath soaps and hair care products. Their use has caused concern among the scientific community due to their potential toxic behaviour to human health and environment. This manuscript reports the first application of QuEChERS ("Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe") extraction followed by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry analysis to determine VMSs in cosmetics and personal care products. Eight VMSs, four linear (L2-L5) and four cyclic (D3-D6) were investigated in 36 samples. The validated method was able to remove the interfering matrix components, conducting to high recovery percentages (74-104%) and low relative standard deviations (<18%). A linear behaviour was observed in the range of 0.005-2.50mgL(-1) (correlation coefficient, R(2)>0.996) and limits of detection ranged from 0.17ngg(-1) (L2) to 3.75ngg(-1) (L5). Matrix effects were also investigated for all analysed compounds and matrices and showed not to be significant. Global uncertainty of the proposed methodology was also estimated using a bottom-up approach being between 5% and 35% (on average). Finally, the method was satisfactorily applied to the analysis of 36 personal care products. As expected, results showed the existence of VMSs in all analysed samples in concentrations up to 754µgg(-1). D4 and D5 were more frequently detected while body moisturizers, facial creams and shampoos showed the highest levels of VMSs.

Using air, soil and vegetation to assess the environmental behaviour of siloxanes

This study aimed to contribute to the enhancement of the knowledge of levels, trends and behaviour of eight siloxanes (four linear and four cyclic) in the environment. Adding to the prioritised scrutiny of the incidence in the atmosphere through passive samplers (sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam disks--SIPs), the sampling of pine needles and soil was also performed, thus closing the circle of atmospheric exposure in the areas of study. Two sampling campaigns (one in summer and one in winter) were done in a total of eight sampling points in the Portuguese territory, which covered a wide range of human presence and land uses (urban, industrial, remote and beach areas). By adopting a "green" approach in terms of analytical methods, namely reducing the clean-up steps for the passive air samples and using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) technology for soils and pine needles, the results showed total concentration of siloxanes between 5 and 70 ng g(-1) (dry weight) for soils and from 2 to 118 ng g(-1) (dry weight (dw)) for pine needles, with no clear seasonal trend. For SIPs, the levels varied from 0.6 to 7.8 ng m(-3) and were higher in summer than in winter in all sites. Overall, the cyclic siloxanes were found in much higher concentrations, with D5 and D6 being the most predominant in a great majority of cases. Also, the urban and industrial areas had the highest incidence, suggesting a strong anthropogenic fingerprint, in line with their main uses.

Scented traces--Dermal exposure of synthetic musk fragrances in personal care products and environmental input assessment

Synthetic musks are organic compounds used as fragrance and fixative additives in several personal care products. Until now, little is known about their occurrence and distribution in these household commodities. However, this information is essential to perform a human dermal exposure assessment. Therefore, this study gives an overview on the levels of 12 synthetic musks in 140 personal care products from 7 different categories (body and hair wash, toilet soaps, shaving products, dentifrice products, deodorants/antiperspirants, moisturizers and perfumes). They were analysed by QuEChERS extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Detection limits were found between 0.01ngg(-1) (galaxolide) and 5.00ngg(-1) (musk xylene). Higher average concentrations of total synthetic musks were detected in perfumes (5245.05μgg(-1)) and shampoos (487.67μgg(-1)) for adults. Galaxolide, exaltolide and cashmeran were the most detected compounds. Combining these results with the daily usage amounts, an average daily dermal exposure of 75.69μgkgbw(-1)day(-1) for adults and 15.54μgkgbw(-1)day(-1) for babies/children was achieved. The main contributors for adult and babies/children dermal exposure were perfumes and lotions, respectively. About 40% of the adult daily dermal exposure is related to exaltolide, 30% galaxolide, and 15% tonalide, while for babies/children 96% occurs due to exaltolide. An estimate of the amount of musks discharged "down-the-drain" into the wastewater treatment systems through the use of toiletries was also performed. An average emission per capita of 6.7mgday(-1) was determined and galaxolide and exaltolide were the predominant musks in the effluents.

Exposure of the population of Catalonia (Spain) to musk fragrances through seafood consumption: Risk assessment

The occurrence of ten synthetic musks in samples of 10 widely consumed fish and shellfish species from Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) was determined. The most used nitro and polycyclic musks, as well as a well-known transformation product in tissues, were analyzed. Furthermore, the human health risks derived from the musk exposure through seafood consumption were characterized. None of the nitro musks were detected in any of the analyzed samples. In contrast, most of the polycyclic musks were found, being galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) present in all the samples. HHCB was the greatest contributor, with maximum levels in sardine and mackerel (367 and 304 ng g(-1) (d.w.) (dry weight), respectively). The highest exposure to individual musks was estimated for HHCB and HHCB-Lactone, with average values of 19.7 and 6.8 ng kg(-1)bw day(-1), respectively, in adults. A notably lower mean exposure was calculated for AHTN, cashmeran (DPMI) and traseolide (ATII), being ranged between 1.1 and 3.7 ng kg(-1)bw day(-1). The current concentrations of musks in fish and shellfish should not mean human health risks for the adult population living in Tarragona. However, a continuous monitoring would be desirable to assure that the exposure does not follow increasing temporal trends.

Long lasting perfume--a review of synthetic musks in WWTPs

Synthetic musks have been used for a long time in personal care and household products. In recent years, this continuous input has increased considerably, to the point that they were recognized as emerging pollutants by the scientific community, due to their persistence in the environment, and hazardous potential to ecosystems even at low concentrations. The number of studies in literature describing their worldwide presence in several environmental matrices is growing, and many of them indicate that the techniques employed for their safe removal tend to be ineffective. This is the case of conventional activated sludge treatment plants (WWTPs), where considerable loads of synthetic musks enter mainly through domestic sewage. This review paper compiles and discusses the occurrence of these compounds in the sewage, effluents and sludge, main concentration levels and phase distributions, as well as the efficiency of the different methodologies of removal applied in these treatment facilities. To the present day, it has been demonstrated that WWTPs lack the ability to remove musks completely. This shows a clear need to develop new effective and cost-efficient remediation approaches and foresees potential for further improvements in this field.