Broad-spectrum analysis of endocrine disruptors in environmental samples

Abstract

A comprehensive analytical method of endocrine disruptors (i.e., alkylphenols, phthalic acid esters, bisphenol A, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDTs) in environmental samples was developed. The method employs Soxhlet-extraction with dichloromethane and two-step-silica-gel and activated-charcoal column chromatography, which provides eleven fractions, followed by determination on capillary GC equipped with MSD or ECD. The present method was applied to Tokyo Bay sediments. Most of the target compounds were identified and quantified clearly, demonstrating the applicability to various environmental samples. Their concentrations are as follows: 4-t- octylphenol: 10.0 ng/g; 4-t-nonylphenol: 184 ng/g; benzyl n-butyl phthalate: 6.12 ng/g; dicyclohexyl phthalate: 2.56 ng/g; bisphenol A: 6.58 ng/g; benz[a]anthracene: 58.1 ng/g; benzo[a]pyrene: 93.7 ng/g; IUPAC#77 coplanar PCB: 0.82 ng/g; DDT: 0.42 ng/g; ODD: 1.00 ng/g; DDE: 1.37 ng/g. This method provides a powerful analytical tool to investigate a wide range of endocrine disruptors in samples of limited quantity.