Determination of selected organic contaminants in soil by pressurized liquid extraction and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with in situ derivatization

Comprehensive assessment of the UV-filter 2-ethylhexyl salicylate and its phase I/II metabolites in urine by extended enzymatic hydrolysis and on-line SPE LC-MS/MS

2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS) is used as a UV filter in personal-care products, such as sunscreen, to prevent skin damage through UV radiation. The application of EHS-containing products leads to systemic EHS absorption, metabolization and excretion. To measure EHS and its corresponding metabolite levels in urine, a comprehensive analytical procedure based on an extended enzymatic hydrolysis, on-line-SPE, and UPLC-MS/MS was developed. The method covers a large profile of seven metabolites (including isomeric structures) as well as EHS itself in a run time only of 18 min. Easy sample preparation, consisting of a 2-h hydrolysis step, followed by on-line enrichment and purification, add to the efficiency of the method. An update, compared to a previous method for the determination of EHS and metabolites in urine, is that, during hydrolysis, both glucuronide and sulfate conjugates are considered. The method was furthermore applied to urine samples after a real-life exposure scenario to EHS-containing sunscreen. The method is highly sensitive with limits of detection ranging from 6 to 65 ng/L. Moreover, it is characterized by good precision data, accuracy, and robustness to matrix influences. Application of the method to urine samples following dermal exposure to an EHS-containing sunscreen revealed EHS as the main biomarker after dermal exposure, followed by the major biomarkers 5OH-EHS, 5cx-EPS, 4OH-EHS and 5oxo-EHS. The expansion and optimization of this method decisively contributes to the research on the dermal metabolism of EHS and can be applied in exposure studies and for human biomonitoring.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric determination of bisphenol residues by dispersive solid phase extraction followed by activated carbon spheres cleanup from fish feed samples

Bisphenols are known endocrine disruptors commonly utilized in food packaging and storage materials, which frequently come into touch with multiple food products packed in them. The bisphenols in fish feed and other feed materials for aquatic organisms are harmful. The consumption of such marine foods is hazardous. Hence, the feed of aquatic products needs to be verified for the presence of bisphenols. The present study was focused on developing and validating a rapid, selective, and sensitive method to quantify 11 bisphenols from the fish feed with dispersive solid-phase extraction, which was cleaned by an optimized amount of activated carbon spheres and silylated by N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoro acetamide and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The new method was rigorously tested and verified after carefully tuning various parameters affecting analyte recovery. Limit of detection (LOD) were set at 0.5-5 ng/g and limit of quantification (LOQ) at 1-10 ng/g, respectively, resulting in 95-114% recoveries. Interday and intraday precisions in terms of relative standard deviation were found to be less than 11%. The proposed approach was effectively applied in floating and sinking fish feeds. The obtained results showed that higher concentration of bisphenol A, followed by bisphenol TMC, and bisphenol M at a concentration of 256.10, 159.01, and 168.82 ng/g in floating feed and 88.04, 200.79, and 98.03 ng/g in sinking feed samples, respectively.

Triclosan and related compounds in the environment: Recent updates on sources, fates, distribution, analytical extraction, analysis, and removal techniques

Triclosan (TCS) has been widely used in daily life because of its broad-spectrum antibacterial activities. The residue of TCS and related compounds in the environment is one of the critical environmental safety problems, and the pandemic of COVID-19 aggravates the accumulation of TCS and related compounds in the environment. Therefore, detecting TCS and related compound residues in the environment is of great significance to human health and environmental safety. The distribution of TCS and related compounds are slightly different worldwide, and the removal methods also have advantages and disadvantages. This paper summarized the research progress on the source, distribution, degradation, analytical extraction, detection, and removal techniques of TCS and related compounds in different environmental samples. The commonly used analytical extraction methods for TCS and related compounds include solid-phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase microextraction, liquid-phase microextraction, and so on. The determination methods include liquid chromatography coupled with different detectors, gas chromatography and related methods, sensors, electrochemical method, capillary electrophoresis. The removal techniques in various environmental samples mainly include biodegradation, advanced oxidation, and adsorption methods. Besides, both the pros and cons of different techniques have been compared and summarized, and the development and prospect of each technique have been given.

Endocrine modulating chemicals in food packaging: A review of phthalates and bisphenols

Phthalates and bisphenol chemicals have been widely used globally in packaging materials and consumer products for several decades. These highly functional chemicals have become a concern due to their toxicity (i.e., endocrine/hormone modulators) and ability to migrate from food contact materials (FCMs) into food matrices and the environment resulting in human and environmental health risks. FCMs, composed of postconsumer materials, are particularly high risk for containing these compounds. The evaluation of postconsumer recycled feedstocks in FCMs is compulsory and selection of an appropriate detection method to comply with applicable regulations is necessary to evaluate human and environmental safety. Numerous regulations have been proposed and passed globally for both compound classes that are recognized as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union. Several brand owners and retailers have also released their own "restricted substance lists" due to the mounting consumer and regulatory concerns. This review article has two goals: (1) discuss the utilization, toxicology, human exposure routes, and occurrence levels of phthalates and bisphenols in FCMs and associated legislation in various countries and (2) discuss critical understanding and updates for detection/quantification techniques. Current techniques discussed include extraction and sample preparation methods (solid-phase microextraction [SPME], headspace SPME, Soxhlet procedure, ultrasound-assisted extraction), chromatographic techniques (gas, liquid, detectors), and environmental/blank considerations for quantification. This review complements a previous review of phthalates in foods from 2009 by discussing phthalate and bisphenol characteristics, analytical methods of determining concentrations in packaging materials, and their influence on the migration potential into food.

Evaluation of Parabens and Bisphenol A Concentration Levels in Wild Bat Guano Samples

Parabens and bisphenol A are synthetic compounds found in many everyday objects, including bottles, food containers, personal care products, cosmetics and medicines. These substances may penetrate the environment and living organisms, on which they have a negative impact. Till now, numerous studies have described parabens and BPA in humans, but knowledge about terrestrial wild mammals' exposure to these compounds is very limited. Therefore, during this study, the most common concentration levels of BPA and parabens were selected (such as methyl paraben-MeP, ethyl paraben-EtP, propyl paraben-PrP and butyl paraben-BuP) and analyzed in guano samples collected in summer (nursery) colonies of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis) using liquid chromatography with the tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method. MeP has been found in all guano samples and its median concentration levels amounted to 39.6 ng/g. Other parabens were present in smaller number of samples (from 5% for BuP to 62.5% for EtP) and in lower concentrations. Median concentration levels of these substances achieved 0.95 ng/g, 1.45 ng/g and 15.56 ng/g for EtP, PrP and BuP, respectively. BPA concentration levels did not exceed the method quantification limit (5 ng/g dw) in any sample. The present study has shown that wild bats are exposed to parabens and BPA, and guano samples are a suitable matrix for studies on wild animal exposure to these substances.

Analytical derivatizations in environmental analysis

Analytical derivatization is a technique that alters the structure of an analyte and produces a product more suitable for analysis. While this process can be time-consuming and add reagents to the procedure, it can also facilitate the isolation of the analyte(s), enhance analytes' stability, improve separation and sensitivity, and reduce matrix interferences. Since derivatization is a functional group analysis, it improves selectivity by separating reactive from neutral compounds during sample preparation. This technique introduces detector-orientated tags into analytes that lack suitable physicochemical properties for detection at low concentrations. Notably, many regulatory bodies, especially those in the environmental field, require these characteristics in analytical methods. This review focuses on note-worthy analytical derivatization methods employed in environmental analyses with functional groups, phenol, carboxylic acid, aldehyde, ketone, and thiol in aqueous, soil, and atmospheric sample matrices. Both advantages and disadvantages of analytical derivatization techniques are discussed. In addition, we discuss the future directions of analytical derivatization methods in environmental analysis and the potential challenges.

Modified dispersive solid-phase extraction and cleanup followed by GC-MS/MS analysis to quantify ultraviolet filters and synthetic musk compounds in soil samples

A simple method for the analysis of 13 synthetic musk compounds and six ultraviolet filters in soil samples was developed using a modified dispersive solid-phase methodology known as "Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe," followed by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The methodology was validated by assessing linearity ranges, detection limits, precision, and accuracy. The method detection limit ranged between 0.01 and 10.00 ng/g dry weight and accuracy from 81 to 122%. A good precision was achieved, with relative standard deviation <10%. The applicability of the methodology was tested using different types of soils. Both synthetic musks and ultraviolet filters were detected in all soil samples. The most frequently detected compounds were benzophenone, octocrylene, 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate, and galaxolide. Higher levels were detected for benzophenone (maximum value of 158 ng/g dry weight) and octocrylene (137 ng/g dry weight). In comparison with conventional techniques, this method uses lower amounts of solvents and sorbents, producing less waste ("greener" technique) and comparable performances. In addition, it presents as main advantages the simplicity, speed (short extraction/cleaning time), low cost, and minimum handling of extracts, which can minimize the possibility of samples cross-contamination.

Characterization of Mining-Related Aromatic Contaminants in Active and Abandoned Metal(loid) Tailings Ponds

This study reports on the compositional diversity of organic compounds in metal(loid)-bearing tailings samples from both active and abandoned tailings ponds. Tailings samples were qualitatively analyzed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). In addition, the priority PAHs (16), PAEs (6), and phenols (2) were quantitatively analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We attribute the presence of some of aromatic organics in studied tailings ponds to particular sources. Mineral floatation reagents are likely the major sources of small-ring aromatics in tailings ponds, and products from metallurgical processing and burning of fossil fuels in the mining area or further afield are also possible contributors and might be the main source of large-ring aromatics. We found that tailings ponds abandoned for decades can still have organics concentrations at levels of concern. Large-ring aromatics are generally more toxic than other contaminants, and these were more abundant in abandoned tailings ponds. This suggests that these large-ring organics do not readily decompose or biodegrade into less toxic byproducts, as do volatiles and many other organic compounds. Our aromatic contaminants database provides an important starting point for researchers to investigate and compare similar contaminants that might be also present in other tailings ponds and emphasizes the necessity of considering their transformations over time.

On-line extraction coupled to liquid chromatographic analysis of hydrophobic organic compounds from complex solid samples-Application to the analysis of UV filters in soils and sediments

This work investigates the applicability of on-line extraction (OLE) directly coupled to liquid chromatography (LC) for the dynamic extraction of hydrophobic organic compounds from complex solid samples. The method operates within the existing apparatus of the LC by replacing the valve loop with an extraction vessel comprised of an empty guard column loaded with the sample. In this manner, extraction is accomplished by the mobile phase as it flows through the extraction vessel under high pressure without the need for additional apparatus other than those comprising the LC system or additional sample pretreatment steps. The experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the method were investigated and discussed in relation to both the extraction performance and the chromatographic efficiency. The method was optimized and applied for the first time to the extraction of hydrophobic UV filters from spiked soil and sediment samples yielding recoveries between 59 and 117% and reproducibility from 4.8 to 14.3%, which are comparable to those reported from more advanced sample preparation methods.

Effects of organic molecules from biochar-extracted liquor on the growth of rice seedlings

There are many reports indicating that biochar can promote growth; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of this study was to show that organic molecules from biochar-extracted liquor affect the growth of rice seedlings. In this study, rice seedlings were cultured under water. Agronomic traits and growth-related genes and proteins were used as markers to describe more precisely the effects of biochar on specific growth parameters of rice seedlings. Our results demonstrated that the 3% biochar-extracted liquor amendment clearly promoted growth. The growth-related gene auxin binding protein 1 and its encoded protein were up-regulated. Molecular simulations revealed that 2-acetyl-5-methylfuran from biochar-extracted liquor could interact with auxin binding protein 1 in a similar way to indoleacetic acid binding. The growth of rice seedlings was therefore affected by biochar-extracted liquor, which acted on the ABP1 signalling pathway.

The Regular/Persistent Free Radicals and Associated Reaction Mechanism for the Degradation of 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene over Different MnO2 Polymorphs

The role of regular/persistent free radicals on the catalytic activity of K⁺-tuned MnO₂ tunnel structures is poorly understood to date. Herein, three MnO₂ polymorphs (α-, β-, and δ-MnO₂) were synthesized and examined toward the degradation of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TrCBz) at 300 °C. δ-MnO₂, with a two-dimensional-layered tunnel structure tuned by K⁺, exhibited the highest activity among the three MnO₂ polymorphs. The electron spin resonance spectroscopy results confirmed that δ-MnO₂ featured the most abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS: O₂^-•, •OH, and ¹O₂), followed by α-MnO₂ (O₂^-• and ¹O₂), and β-MnO₂ (O₂^-•), being supported by the calculated energy barrier. It was, intriguingly, noted that persistent organic free radicals, newly recognized as emerging surface-stabilized compound, were remarkably detected in α- and β-MnO₂/1,2,4-TrCBz systems but not in more reactive δ-MnO₂/1,2,4-TrCBz system. These might contribute to discrepant oxidative degradation process. During the oxidative process, intermediates, including benzoic acid and glycerol, formed via attack by ROS. Upon further attack, these intermediates fragmented into smaller molecules such as formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. The present findings give deeper insights into the role of free radicals on the catalytic degradation of chlorinated aromatics.

In-Syringe Micro Solid-Phase Extraction Method for the Separation and Preconcentration of Parabens in Environmental Water Samples

In this study, a simple, rapid and effective in-syringe micro-solid phase extraction (MSPE) method was developed for the separation and preconcetration of parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl paraben) in environmental water samples. The parabens were determined and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography and a photo diode array detector (HPLC-PDA). Chitosan-coated activated carbon (CAC) was used as the sorbent in the in-syringe MSPE device. A response surface methodology based on central composite design was used for the optimization of factors (eluent solvent type, eluent volume, number of elution cycles, sample volume, sample pH) affecting the extraction efficiency of the preconcentration procedure. The adsorbent used displayed excellent absorption performance and the adsorption capacity ranged from 227–256 mg g⁻¹. Under the optimal conditions the dynamic linear ranges for the parabens were between 0.04 and 380 µg L⁻¹. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 6–15 ng L⁻¹ and 20–50 ng L⁻¹, respectively. The intraday (repeatability) and interday (reproducibility) precisions expressed as relative standard deviations (%RSD) were below 5%. Furthermore, the in-syringe MSPE/HPLC procedure was validated using spiked wastewater and tap water samples and the recoveries ranged between from 96.7 to 107%. In conclusion, CAC based in-syringe MSPE method demonstrated great potential for preconcentration of parabens in complex environmental water.

3D-Printed Microflow Injection Analysis Platform for Online Magnetic Nanoparticle Sorptive Extraction of Antimicrobials in Biological Specimens as a Front End to Liquid Chromatographic Assays

In this work, the concept of 3D-printed microflow injection (3D-μFI) embodying a dedicated multifunctional 3D-printed stator onto a rotary microvalve along with a mesofluidic sample preparation platform is proposed for the first time. A transparent 3D-printed stereolithographic mesofluidic chip device accommodating polyaniline (PANI) decorated magnetic nanoparticles (32.5 ± 3.8 mg) is harnessed to in-line sorptive microextraction as a front end to liquid chromatography with peak focusing. As a proof-of-concept application, the 3D-μFI assembly was resorted to matrix cleanup and automatic programmable-flow determination of organic emerging contaminants (4-hydroxybenzoate analogues and triclosan as antimicrobial model analytes) in human saliva and urine samples. By using a sample volume of 1.0 mL with a loading flow rate of 200 μL min^-1, an eluent volume of 120 μL at 80 μL min^-1, and online HPLC injection of 300 μL of the mixture of eluate and Milli-Q water (in a 1:2 ratio) to prevent band broadening effects of the most polar analytes, the limits of detection (3σ criterion) ranged from 1.1 to 4.5 ng mL^-1 for methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PrP), phenylparaben (PhP), butylparaben (BP), and triclosan (TCS). Enhancement factors of 16-25 were obtained for the target analytes. Spike recoveries ranged from 84 to 117% for both saliva and urine samples. The online 3D-μFI hyphenated method is synchronized with the chromatographic separation and features a chip lifetime of more than 20 injections with minimal losses of moderately nonpolar compounds on the walls of the mesofluidic device.

Application of matrix solid-phase dispersion followed by GC-MS/MS to the analysis of emerging contaminants in vegetables

A multiresidue method for the determination of 17 emerging contaminants in vegetables was developed based on ultrasound-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD). The analysis was performed using isotope dilution gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. In the development of the MSPD procedure, different parameters such as sonication and the type of sorbent or extraction solvent were assayed. Manual and in situ derivatization was assayed and the chromatographic response was higher when the reaction takes place in the injection port. The limits of detection obtained for the studied compounds were in the range of 0.1-0.4ngg(-1) for the different vegetables analyzed. The developed method was applied to vegetables obtained from several local markets. At least one of the organophosphates was detected in the analyzed samples at levels ranging from 0.6 to 4.6ngg(-1) and bisphenol A was detected in all the samples at concentration up to 16ngg(-1).

An aggregate analysis of personal care products in the environment: Identifying the distribution of environmentally-relevant concentrations

Over the past 3-4 decades, per capita consumption of personal care products (PCPs) has steadily risen, resulting in increased discharge of the active and inactive ingredients present in these products into wastewater collection systems. PCPs comprise a long list of compounds employed in toothpaste, sunscreen, lotions, soaps, body washes, and insect repellants, among others. While comprehensive toxicological studies are not yet available, an increasing body of literature has shown that PCPs of all classes can impact aquatic wildlife, bacteria, and/or mammalian cells at low concentrations. Ongoing research efforts have identified PCPs in a variety of environmental compartments, including raw wastewater, wastewater effluent, surface water, wastewater solids, sediment, groundwater, and drinking water. Here, an aggregate analysis of over 5000 reported detections was conducted to better understand the distribution of environmentally-relevant PCP concentrations in, and between, these compartments. The distributions were used to identify whether aggregated environmentally-relevant concentration ranges intersected with available toxicity data. For raw wastewater, wastewater effluent, and surface water, a clear overlap was present between the 25th-75th percentiles and identified toxicity levels. This analysis suggests that improved wastewater treatment of antimicrobials, UV filters, and polycyclic musks is required to prevent negative impacts on aquatic species.

Thermal catalytic oxidation of octachloronaphthalene over anatase TiO2 nanomaterial and its hypothesized mechanism

As an environmentally-green technology, thermal catalytic oxidation of octachloronaphthalene (CN-75) over anatase TiO₂ nanomaterials was investigated at 300 °C. A wide range of oxidation intermediates, which were investigated using various techniques, could be of three types: naphthalene-ring, single-benzene-ring, and completely ring-opened products. Reactive oxygen species on anatase TiO₂ surface, such as O₂^−• and O²⁻, contributed to oxidative degradation. Based on these findings, a novel oxidation degradation mechanism was proposed. The reaction at (101) surface of anatase TiO₂ was used as a model. The naphthalene-ring oxidative products with chloronaphthols and hydroxyl-pentachloronaphthalene-dione, could be formed via attacking the carbon of naphthalene ring at one or more positions by nucleophilic O²⁻. Lateral cleavage of the naphthalene ring at different C₁-C₁₀ and C₄-C₉, C₁-C₂ and C₄-C₉, C₁-C₂ or and C₃-C₄ bond positions by electrophilic O₂^−• could occur. This will lead to the formation of tetrachlorophenol, tetrachloro-benzoic acid, tetrachloro-phthalaldehyde, and tetrachloro-acrolein-benzoic acid, partially with further transformation into tetrachlorobenzene-dihydrodiol and tetrachloro-salicylic acid. Unexpectedly, the symmetric half section of CN-75 could be completely remained with generating the intricate oxidative intermediates characteristically containing tetrachlorobenzene structure. Complete cleavage of naphthalene ring could produce the ring-opened products, such as formic and acetic acids.

Application of Focused Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction to the Determination of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Soil Samples

A simple and rapid focused ultrasound extraction (FU) based method is presented for the determination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soil using a gas chromatography coupled to a mass detector with electron impact ionization. The main experimental parameters affecting the FU step have been optimized by applying a PERMANOVA and PCO analysis allowing us to obtain a maximum amount of information with a minimum number of assays. The limits of detection for POPs fell within the 0.9-6.8 ng/g d.w. interval; a linear method was used with correlation coefficients (r) higher than 0.99. Recovery percentages at low concentrations (25 ng/g d.w.) were 75.8%-110%, and at high concentrations (75 ng/g d.w.) 82.3%-109%; the evaluated precision as RSD% of repeatability and reproducibility were within a range of 0.5%-11% and 0.3%-18%, respectively.

Quantifying the degradation of TNT and RDX in a saline environment with and without UV-exposure

Terrorist attacks in a maritime setting, such as the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, or the detection of underwater mines, require the development of proper protocols to collect and analyse explosive material from a marine environment. In addition to proper analysis of the explosive material, protocols must also consider the exposure of the material to potentially deleterious elements, such as UV light and salinity, time spent in the environment, and time between storage and analysis. To understand how traditional explosives would be affected by such conditions, saline solutions of explosives were exposed to natural and artificial sunlight. Degradation of the explosives over time was then quantified using negative chemical ionization gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/NCI-MS). Two explosives, trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), were exposed to different aqueous environments and light exposures with salinities ranging from freshwater to twice the salinity of ocean water. Solutions were then aged for up to 6 months to simulate different conditions the explosives may be recovered from. Salinity was found to have a negligible impact on the degradation of both RDX and TNT. RDX was stable in solutions of all salinities while TNT solutions degraded regardless of salinity. Solutions of varying salinities were also exposed to UV light, where accelerated degradation was seen for both explosives. Potential degradation products of TNT were identified using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and correspond to proposed degradation products discussed in previously published works [1].

Assessment of commercially available polymeric materials for sorptive microextraction of priority and emerging nonpolar organic pollutants in environmental water samples

Among the different organic pollutants, persistent organic pollutants and emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) are of particular concern due to their potentially dangerous effects on the ecosystems and on human health. In the framework of the analysis of some of these organic pollutants in water samples, sorptive extraction devices have proven to be adequate for their monitoring. The efficiency of four commercially available and low-cost polymeric materials [polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), Raffia, and polyethersulfone (PES)] for the simultaneous extraction of 16 organic compounds from five different families from environmental water samples was evaluated in this work. Firstly, the homogeneity of the sorbent materials was confirmed by means of Raman spectroscopy. After the optimization of the parameters affecting the extraction and the liquid desorption steps, it was found that PES showed the largest efficiencies for slightly polar analytes and, to a lesser extent, for nonpolar analytes. Additionally, Raffia rendered good extraction efficiencies for nonpolar compounds. Thus sorptive extraction methods followed by large volume injection-programmable temperature vaporizer-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were validated using PES and Raffia as sorbent materials. The validation of the method provided good linearity (0.978 < r (2) < 0.999 for PES and 0.977 < r (2) < 0.999 for Raffia), adequate repeatability (below 19 % and 14 % for PES and Raffia, respectively), and low method detection limits (low ng · l(-1) level). Finally, these materials were applied to the analysis of contaminants in environmental water samples.

Development of a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tetrabromobisphenol A

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has been an important brominated flame retardant worldwide and has become a widely concerned environmental pollutant due to its persistence in the environment. In this study, a monoclonal antibody (MAb, designated 3D9G6) against TBBPA was produced, and an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay (icELISA) for detecting trace TBBPA was developed. The limit of detection and the half maximum inhibition concentration of TBBPA in phosphate-buffered saline were 0.8 and 3.87 ng·mL(-1), respectively. The assay specificity was studied with TBBPA structural analogs, such as bisphenol A, decabromodiphenyl ether, octabromobisphenol-S, and hexabromocyclododecane, and the results showed that none of these can be recognized by the MAb even at a concentration of up to 4000 ng·mL(-1). The average recoveries of TBBPA in water and soil samples were 96% and 87%, respectively. This icELISA can be applied for the detection of trace levels of TBBPA in water and soil samples.