Determination of 13 estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds in atmospheric particulate matter by pressurised liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes the optimisation of an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of up to 13 estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), including natural and synthetic estrogens, alkylphenols, bisphenol A and phthalate esters, in atmospheric particulate matter. This methodology is based on pressurised liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and is the first method described for analysis of estrogens in air. Samples were collected with high-volume samplers equipped with quartz microfiber filters. Two selected reaction monitoring transitions were chosen for identification and confirmation of the target compounds. Quantitation was performed by the internal standard method with the use of deuterated surrogate standards. The analytical features of the method were satisfactory: absolute recoveries were around 45 % for all compounds, except estrogens (～29 %), because of matrix effects. Repeatability was in all cases below 15 %. Quantitation limits of the method ranged from 5 pg/m³ (for diethylphthalate) to 83 pg/m³ (for 17-α-ethynylestradiol). As a part of the validation procedure, the developed method was applied to the analysis of eight air particulate samples (fine grain-size particles, PM_2.5) collected in industrial, urban and non-polluted suburban areas of A Coruña (NW of Spain). Results evidenced the presence of dibutylphthalate, diethylhexylphthalate and nonylphenol in all samples. The highest concentration corresponded to dibutylphthalate (54.7 ng/m³) in an industrial area. Daily exposure to these EDCs in terms of estradiol equivalents (3 pg/day for toddlers and 5 pg/day for adults) is not expected to pose a risk to human health.