An automated headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method to determine macrocyclic musk fragrances in wastewater samples

A Study of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction in the Analysis of 54 Hydrophobic Pollutants in Remote Alpine Lake Waters with an Emphasis on Analyte Recovery and Storage Time

Commercially available headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) fibers have been used for years to extract pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls from aqueous samples at the expected ultratrace levels (picograms per liter or parts per quadrillion) in alpine lakes. Several variables of the HS-SPME technique have been adequately evaluated, including water temperature, pH, salt content, fiber type and coating thickness, length of fiber-sample exposure, and liquid immersion versus headspace exposure; but surprisingly, analyte recovery as a function of analyte concentration and storage time has not been included in previous studies, which can be important for remote sampling sites. Seven hydrophobic chlorinated pollutants were identified in alpine lake water (out of 54 analyzed); but recovery using the common SPME technique was found to be inconsistent as the analyte concentration decreases, and the recovery trend as a function of concentration varies on a compound-to-compound basis that could result in a large underestimation of analyte concentrations in field samples. Of the 54 compounds surveyed, o,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), p,p'-DDT, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), o,p'-DDE, chlorthal-dimethyl, endosulfan I, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlor, and trans-nonachlor were generally measured at concentrations between 1 and 150 pg/L (parts per quadrillion). No study to date has evaluated this commonly used but unstandardized technique for analyte recovery as a function of analyte concentration or storage time of aqueous samples. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1199-1211. © 2023 SETAC.

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.

Spoilt for choice: A critical review on the chemical and biological assessment of current wastewater treatment technologies

The knowledge we have gained in recent years on the presence and effects of compounds discharged by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) brings us to a point where we must question the appropriateness of current water quality evaluation methodologies. An increasing number of anthropogenic chemicals is detected in treated wastewater and there is increasing evidence of adverse environmental effects related to WWTP discharges. It has thus become clear that new strategies are needed to assess overall quality of conventional and advanced treated wastewaters. There is an urgent need for multidisciplinary approaches combining expertise from engineering, analytical and environmental chemistry, (eco)toxicology, and microbiology. This review summarizes the current approaches used to assess treated wastewater quality from the chemical and ecotoxicological perspective. Discussed chemical approaches include target, non-target and suspect analysis, sum parameters, identification and monitoring of transformation products, computational modeling as well as effect directed analysis and toxicity identification evaluation. The discussed ecotoxicological methodologies encompass in vitro testing (cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, endocrine disruption, adaptive stress response activation, toxicogenomics) and in vivo tests (single and multi species, biomonitoring). We critically discuss the benefits and limitations of the different methodologies reviewed. Additionally, we provide an overview of the current state of research regarding the chemical and ecotoxicological evaluation of conventional as well as the most widely used advanced wastewater treatment technologies, i.e., ozonation, advanced oxidation processes, chlorination, activated carbon, and membrane filtration. In particular, possible directions for future research activities in this area are provided.

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.