Continental bottled water assessment by stir bar sorptive extraction followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SBSE-GC-MS/MS)

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Feb;21(4):2846-55. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-2177-9. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine the presence of 69 organic contaminants in 77 representative bottled waters collected from 27 countries all over the world. All water samples were contained in polyethylene terephthalate bottles. Target compounds were (1) environmental contaminants (including 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 31 pesticides including organochlorine (OCPs), organophosphorus, and pyrethroids; 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); and 7 triazines) and (2) plasticizers (including 6 phthalates and 5 other compounds). Samples were analyzed by stir bar sorptive extraction followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PAHs, OCPs, PCBs, and triazines, which are indicators of groundwater pollution, were not detected in most of the samples, except for naphthalene (0.005-0.202 μg/L, n = 16). On the other hand, plastic components were detected in 77 % of the samples. Most frequently detected compounds were dimethyl phthalate and benzophenone at concentrations of 0.005-0.125 (n = 41) and 0.014-0.921 (n = 32), respectively. Levels detected are discussed in terms of contamination origin and geographical distribution. Target compounds were detected at low concentrations. Results obtained showed the high quality of bottled water in the different countries around the world.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drinking Water / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / analysis
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / analysis
  • Pesticides / analysis
  • Phthalic Acids / analysis
  • Plasticizers / analysis
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis
  • Pyrethrins / analysis
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Triazines / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Drinking Water
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Pesticides
  • Phthalic Acids
  • Plasticizers
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Pyrethrins
  • Triazines
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical