1
|
Langa IM, Lado Ribeiro AR, Ratola N, Gonçalves VMF, Tiritan ME, Ribeiro C. Amphetamine-like substances and synthetic cathinones in Portuguese wastewater influents: Enantiomeric profiling and role of suspended particulate matter. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 361:112128. [PMID: 39002412 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) has been used worldwide to estimate drug consumption routinely. Even though WBE provides valuable data to support legal and health interventions associated to drug use, monitoring studies in Portuguese wastewaters are scarce. Hence, this work aimed to estimate the consumption of some conventional abuse and illicit drugs such as amphetamine (AMP), methamphetamine (MAMP), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and the synthetic cathinones buphedrone (BPD), butylone (BTL), 3,4-dimethylmethcathinone (3,4-DMMC) and 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC), considering not only the liquid phase, but also the suspended particulate matter (SPM). Moreover, the enantiomeric profiling of the samples was studied, exploring for the first time the possible enantioselective sorption of these drugs onto SPM. For that, 24 h composite raw wastewaters were collected from a conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Portugal. After extraction, the liquid phase and SPM extracts were derivatized with an enantiomerically pure reagent and then, analysed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analytical method. The results showed a low and non-enantioselective adsorption to SPM at environmental relevant levels. Only (S)-AMP was detected in two SPM samples, whereas AMP, MAMP, MDMA, BPD, and 3,4-DMMC were detected in the liquid phase. AMP was the most frequently found drug with an estimated load up to 166.0 mg day-1 1000 people-1 and mostly found with enrichment of (S)-AMP. Nevertheless, (R)-AMP was also determined, which may be related to the consumption of either the illicit racemic AMP or the medicine (R)-deprenyl. The use of MDMA, MAMP and synthetic cathinones (BPD and 3,4-DMMC) was also suggested in Portugal. Nevertheless, the levels and the consumption estimate of the target chemicals were lower than in other European countries or worldwide. These findings provide the first step to the implementation of WBE monitoring campaigns to assess the status of drug consumption in Portuguese communities, contributing to the understanding of drug use patterns and trends worldwide and helping enforce preventive measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan M Langa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra 4585-116, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Lado Ribeiro
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal; AliCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Nuno Ratola
- AliCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Virgínia M F Gonçalves
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra 4585-116, Portugal
| | - Maria Elizabeth Tiritan
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra 4585-116, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Center for marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Port of Leixões Cruise Terminal, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, Matosinhos, Portugal; Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Ribeiro
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra 4585-116, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen S, Yang H, Zhang S, Zhu F, Liu S, Gao H, Diao Q, Ding W, Chen Y, Luo P, Liu Y. Simultaneous determination of 28 illegal drugs in sewage by high throughput online SPE-ISTD-UHPLC-MS/MS. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27897. [PMID: 38524584 PMCID: PMC10957417 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This study developed an online solid-phase extraction ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (Online-SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the analysis of 28 illegal drugs in sewage. To achieve this, 28 isotope internal standards (ISTDs) were added to 3 mL sewage samples, the pH was adjusted to 7-8 using hydrochloric acid or 20% ammonia water, followed by centrifugation, filtration, and analysis using UHPLC-MS/MS. The results indicated an excellent linearity of 1-300 ng L-1, and cotinine in the concentration range of 20-6000 ng L-1, linear correlation coefficient R2 > 0.995, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01-6 ng L-1, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1-20 ng L-1. The addition of three concentrates of low (2 ng L-1/40 ng L-1), medium (20 ng L-1/400 ng L-1), and high concentration (200 ng L-1/4000 ng L-1) demonstrated the matrix effect of the target compound between ± 22.0%. The extraction recovery was 70.0-119.4%, and a percent accuracy of 75.7-118.1%. Similarly, the intra- and inter-day precisions were 1.8-20.0% and 1.5-18.9%, respectively. The results cemented the sensitivity, accuracy, reliability, strong specificity, and reproducibility, which can be used to screen 28 illegal drugs in sewage for trace analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunqin Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550001, China
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550001, China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550001, China
| | - Faze Zhu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550001, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Guiyang City Public Security Bureau Drug Testing Center, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550008, China
| | - Huan Gao
- Guiyang City Public Security Bureau Drug Testing Center, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550008, China
| | - Qing Diao
- Guizhou Wanfu Xianyi Testing Technology Co., Ltd, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550009, China
| | - Wenbo Ding
- Guizhou Wanfu Xianyi Testing Technology Co., Ltd, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550009, China
| | - Yuemeng Chen
- Guiyang City Public Security Bureau Drug Testing Center, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550008, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550001, China
| | - Yubo Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, 550001, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sharfudeen YA, Cha HJ, Oh JE. Tracking methamphetamine and amphetamine consumption patterns in South Korea via enantiomeric analysis of wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166910. [PMID: 37689196 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as an effective method for monitoring a community's health status and lifestyle. In recent years, enantiomeric profiling has shown promise as a tool for tracing the sources of abused drugs through WBE. This study investigated amphetamine (AMP) and methamphetamine (METH) consumption in South Korea using enantiomeric analysis of untreated wastewater samples collected from 27 wastewater-treatment plants (WWTPs). Both AMP and METH were detected, with the predominant detection of S-(+)-METH indicating widespread illegal use of METH, which is primarily produced by a clandestine synthesis procedure that involves the reduction of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine. Most AMP/METH ratios in the samples were consistent with the expected METH excretion profile, indicating that the presence of AMP was primarily due to METH metabolism. However, R-(-) AMP was detected in 18.5 % and 25.9 % of wastewater samples in winter and spring, respectively, and the high AMP/METH ratio (>0.27) indicated potential AMP abuse. By differentiating between the sources of AMP and METH in wastewater, enantiomeric analysis could help authorities to target and address specific drug-abuse issues affecting the population more effectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasar Arafath Sharfudeen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jin Cha
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Oh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lawrence TI, Sims N, Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Jonnalagadda SB, Martincigh BS. Wastewater profiling of illicit drugs, an estimation of community consumption: A case study of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122270. [PMID: 37516292 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Estimation of community-wide consumption of illicit drugs through wastewater analysis is a new concept in Africa although widely applied in developed nations as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). It is an important tool that can be used in understanding supply and demand patterns of illicit drug use on a local, national, and international scale. Information on illicit drug use is currently limited in Africa, because of a lack of monitoring structures by governments and financial constraints. This study hopes to bridge that gap by contributing to Africa's baseline information on illicit drug use. This study provides the first application of wastewater analysis to quantitatively evaluate daily illicit drug use in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa by quantifying the major urinary excreted metabolites, called drug target residues (DTRs), in raw wastewater from four major wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) sampled for a week. The results showed that cocaine was the dominant illicit drug consumed in the catchment followed by amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, with a per capita use of 360-3000 mg day-1 1000 inh-1, 47-800 mg day-1 1000 inh-1, 19-120 mg day -1 1000 inh-1, not detected (ND) to 4.9 mg day-1 1000 inh-1, and ND to 410 g day-1 1000 inh-1 respectively. The weekly usage patterns between the four WWTPs differed probably due to the lifestyle of the populace serving the different WWTPs. These results provide useful data on illicit drug use in eThekwini that can be utilised by public health agencies to implement suitable response strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tolulope I Lawrence
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| | - Natalie Sims
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sreekantha B Jonnalagadda
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Bice S Martincigh
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rousis N, Bade R, Romero-Sánchez I, Mueller JF, Thomaidis NS, Thomas KV, Gracia-Lor E. Festivals following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions: Prevalence of new psychoactive substances and illicit drugs. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108075. [PMID: 37399770 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
The market for illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) has grown significantly and people attending festivals have been identified as being at high risk (high extent and frequency of substance use). Traditional public health surveillance data sources have limitations (high costs, long implementation times, and ethical issues) and wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can cost-effectively support surveillance efforts. Influent wastewater samples were analyzed for NPS and illicit drug consumption collected during New Year period (from 29-Dec-2021 to 4-Jan-2022) and a summer Festival (from 29-June-2022 to 12-July-2022) in a large city in Spain. Samples were analyzed for phenethylamines, cathinones, opioids, benzodiazepines, plant-based NPS, dissociatives, and the illicit drugs methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, ketamine, heroin, cocaine, and pseudoephedrine by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. High consumption rates of specific NPS and established illicit drugs were identified at the peak of each event. Furthermore, a dynamic change in NPS use (presence and absence of substances) was detected over a period of six months. Eleven NPS, including synthetic cathinones, benzodiazepines, plant-based NPS and dissociatives, and seven illicit drugs were found across both the New Year and summer Festival. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were seen for 3-MMC (New Year vs summer Festival), eutylone (New Year vs summer Festival), cocaine (summer Festival vs normal week and summer Festival vs New Year), MDMA (New Year vs normal week and summer Festival vs normal week), heroin (summer Festival vs New Year) and pseudoephedrine (summer Festival vs New Year). This WBE study assessed the prevalence of NPS and illicit drugs at festivals following the reduction of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions highlighting the high use of specific substances at the peak of each event. This approach identified in a cost-effective and timely manner without any ethical issues the most used drugs and changes in use patterns and, thus, can complement public health information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Rousis
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia; Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece.
| | - Richard Bade
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
| | - Iván Romero-Sánchez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Emma Gracia-Lor
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hernández F, Fabregat-Safont D, Campos-Mañas M, Quintana JB. Efficient Validation Strategies in Environmental Analytical Chemistry: A Focus on Organic Micropollutants in Water Samples. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2023; 16:401-428. [PMID: 37068748 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-091222-112115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This article critically reviews analytical method validation and quality control applied to the environmental chemistry field. The review focuses on the determination of organic micropollutants (OMPs), specifically emerging contaminants and pesticides, in the aquatic environment. The analytical technique considered is (gas and liquid) chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), including high-resolution MS for wide-scope screening purposes. An analysis of current research practices outlined in the literature has been performed, and key issues and analytical challenges are identified and critically discussed. It is worth emphasizing the lack of specific guidelines applied to environmental analytical chemistry and the minimal regulation of OMPs in waters, which greatly affect method development and performance, requirements for method validation, and the subsequent application to samples. Finally, a proposal is made for method validation and data reporting, which can be understood as starting points for further discussion with specialists in environmental analytical chemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain;
| | - David Fabregat-Safont
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain;
- Applied Metabolomics Research Laboratory, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Campos-Mañas
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain;
| | - José Benito Quintana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xiong J, Wei X, Shen X, Zhu W, Yi S, Huang C. Synthesis of molecularly-imprinted polymers towards a group of amphetamine-type stimulants by reflux precipitation polymerization with a pseudo template. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1688:463738. [PMID: 36574747 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Determination of amphetamine-type drugs (ATSs) in urine and wastewater is a simplified approach for the widespread monitoring of ATSs abuse. To improve the sensitivity of the analytical methods, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment attracted great attention in this field. Generally, smaller particle sizes and more uniform morphology of the MIPs could provide higher detection sensitivity. Our previous works showed reflux precipitation polymerization (RPP) is a method for synthesizing monodispersed MIPs with small particle size. However, synthesis of uniform spherical MIPs towards a group of targets has never been reported. Therefore, in the present work, MIPs towards a group of ATSs were synthesized via RPP with a pseudo template for the first time. After screening potential pseudo-templates, N-methylphenylethylamine (MPEA) was selected as the optimal pseudo-template. MPEA-MIPs were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra. Adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and selectivity were evaluated, and the experimental results indicated that the MPEA-MIPs possessed good selectivity and adsorption property towards ATSs. After optimization of the MIP-SPE procedure, the MIP-SPE cartridges were then coupled with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for determination of ATSs. The evaluation results showed that MIP-SPE-LC-MS/MS displayed good linearity (R2 >0.991) in the linear range (1.0-50.0 µg/L for urine and 0.5-50.0 µg/L for wastewater), and low matrix effect (85-112%). The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.05 -0.29 µg/L, and the accuracy (85-115%) and repeatability (RSD ≤ 15%) were satisfactory at low, medium and high concentrations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that dummy MIPs towards a group of ATSs were synthesized by RPP polymerization, which showed great potential for the detection of ATSs in urine and wastewater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Xiong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road #13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Xiangting Wei
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road #13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Xiantao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Weiwei Zhu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road #13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Shaohua Yi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road #13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Chuixiu Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road #13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gao J, Burgard DA, Tscharke BJ, Lai FY, O'Brien JW, Nguyen HD, Zheng Q, Li J, Du P, Li X, Wang D, Castiglioni S, Cruz-Cruz C, Baz-Lomba JA, Yargeau V, Emke E, Thomas KV, Mueller JF, Thai PK. Refining the estimation of amphetamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 225:119182. [PMID: 36215836 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of amphetamine and methamphetamine, two common illicit drugs, has been monitored by wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) in many countries over the past decade. There is potential for the estimated amount of amphetamine used to be skewed at locations where methamphetamine is also consumed, because amphetamine is also excreted to wastewater following methamphetamine consumption. The present study aims to review the available data in the literature to identify an average ratio of amphetamine/methamphetamine (AMP/METH) that is excreted to wastewater after methamphetamine consumption. This ratio could then be used to refine the estimation of amphetamine consumption in catchments where there is both amphetamine and methamphetamine use. Using data from more than 6000 wastewater samples from Australia where methamphetamine is the dominant illicit amphetamine-type substance on the market, we were able to subtract the contribution of legal sources of amphetamine contribution and obtain the median AMP/METH ratio in wastewater of 0.09. Using this value, the amphetamine derived from methamphetamine consumption can be calculated and subtracted from the total amphetamine mass loads in wastewater samples. Without considering the contribution of amphetamine from methamphetamine use, selected European catchments with comparable consumption of amphetamine and methamphetamine showed up to 83% overestimation of amphetamine use. For catchments with AMP/METH ratio greater than 1.00, the impact of amphetamine from methamphetamine would be negligible; for catchments with AMP/METH ratio in the range of 0.04-0.19, it will be difficult to accurately estimate amphetamine consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianfa Gao
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Daniel A Burgard
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Washington, 98416, United States.
| | - Benjamin J Tscharke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Foon Yin Lai
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Hien D Nguyen
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Qiuda Zheng
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jiaying Li
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Peng Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Urban Hydrological Cycle and Sponge City Technology, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xiqing Li
- Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Degao Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Copytzy Cruz-Cruz
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública. Cuernavaca, Mexico; Servicios de Atención Psiquiatrica. Secretaría de Salud, Mexico
| | | | - Viviane Yargeau
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610, University St., Montreal, H3A 0C5, QC, Canada
| | - Erik Emke
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Chemical Water Quality and Health, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Phong K Thai
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, 4102, Brisbane, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Estévez-Danta A, Bijlsma L, Capela R, Cela R, Celma A, Hernández F, Lertxundi U, Matias J, Montes R, Orive G, Prieto A, Santos MM, Rodil R, Quintana JB. Use of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco in Spain and Portugal during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 as measured by wastewater-based epidemiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155697. [PMID: 35523346 PMCID: PMC9065690 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly worldwide in the year 2020, which was initially restrained by drastic mobility restrictions. In this work, we investigated the use of illicit drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis), and licit substances of abuse (alcohol and tobacco) during the earlier months (March-July 2020) of the pandemic restrictions in four Spanish (Bilbao and its metropolitan area, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Castellón and Santiago de Compostela) and two Portuguese (Porto and Vila do Conde) locations by wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The results show that no methamphetamine was detected in any of the locations monitored, while amphetamine use was only detectable in the two locations from the Basque Country (Bilbao and its metropolitan area and Vitoria-Gasteiz), with high estimated average usage rates (700-930 mg day-1 1000 inhabitant-1). The remaining substances were detected in all the investigated catchment areas. In general, no remarkable changes were found in population normalized loads compared to former years, except for cocaine (i.e. its main metabolite, benzoylecgonine). For this drug, a notable decrease in use was discernible in Castellón, while its usage in Porto and Santiago de Compostela seemed to continue in a rising trend, already initiated in former years. Furthermore, two events of ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) dumping in the sewage network were confirmed by enantiomeric analysis, one in Santiago de Compostela just prior the lockdown and the second one in the Bilbao and its metropolitan area in July after relieving the more stringent measures. The latter could also be associated with a police intervention. The comparison of WBE with (web) survey data, which do not provide information at a local level, points towards contradictory conclusions for some of the substances, thereby highlighting the need for stable WBE networks capable of near real-time monitoring drug use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Estévez-Danta
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lubertus Bijlsma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Ricardo Capela
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Group of Endocrine Disrupter and Emerging Contaminants, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP-Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rafael Cela
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alberto Celma
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Unax Lertxundi
- Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba Mental Health Network, Araba Psychiatric Hospital, Pharmacy Service, c/Alava 43, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain
| | - João Matias
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rosa Montes
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz 01006, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology - UIRMI (UPV/EHU-Fundación Eduardo Anitua), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, Singapore; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Ailette Prieto
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Miguel M Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Group of Endocrine Disrupter and Emerging Contaminants, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP-Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rosario Rodil
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - José Benito Quintana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Verovšek T, Heath D, Heath E. Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamines in wastewater using chiral derivatisation with gas chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric detection. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155594. [PMID: 35490814 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Enantiomeric profiling can supplement wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) by providing additional information on drug origin (licit or illicit), improving consumption estimates, i.e., differentiating between disposal and consumption, and offering an insight into the potency of drugs available on the illicit drug market. We report on the enantiomeric profiling of amphetamines in wastewater using R(-)-α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl) phenylacetyl chloride (R-MTPCl), a chiral derivatising agent and GC-MS/MS. The method performed well when evaluated against the SANTE/12682/2019 guidelines in terms of recovery (81-99%), accuracy (99-111%), repeatability (1-8%RSD) and linearity (LOQ-1000 ng/mL). The LOD and LOQ were 120 ng/L and 400 ng/L, respectively. The method was applied to samples of raw wastewater from two Slovene municipalities with unusual levels of amphetamines: Ljubljana (LJ1) and Velenje (VE1). LJ1 had an anomalously high mass load of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) identified during SCORE 2020, and VE1 is a representative sample of the consistently high mass load of amphetamine. A second Ljubljana sample (LJ2) was chosen as a representative sample. The presence of racemic MDMA (EF = 0.511) in LJ1 indicated the disposal of the unused drug into the sewer, while the enrichment of R-MDMA (EF = 0.666) in the combined extract sample from Ljubljana (LJ2) indicated consumption. In the case of Velenje and Ljubljana, it is impossible to distinguish between the direct disposal and consumption of amphetamine and methamphetamine. Also, since amphetamine/methamphetamine-based prescription medications are unavailable in Slovenia, racemic amphetamine in VE1 (EF = 0.514) and LJ2 (EF = 0.459) indicate racemic and the more potent S-amphetamine are sold on the illicit drug market. Only S-methamphetamine was detected in wastewater (LJ2: EF = 0), indicating the presence of only the more potent S-methamphetamine on the illicit drug market. Overall, enantiomeric profiling provided useful information on amphetamine residues. In addition, chiral derivatisation can be a cost-effective alternative to using chiral chromatographic columns for the enantiomeric profiling of amphetamines in wastewater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taja Verovšek
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Heath
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ester Heath
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|