Abstract
Evaluation of Community-Wide Exposure to Household and Industrial Chemicals Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
Eva Hawkins1,2, Kishore Jagadeesan1, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern1,2,3.
(1) Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK, [email protected]
(2) Institute for Sustainability, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
(3) Water and Innovation Research Centre, University of Bath, Bath BA7 7AY, UK
Keywords: data mining, household, industrial, public exposure, wastewater-based epidemiology
Household and industrial chemicals, including personal care products (PCPs) and pesticides, are commonly found in aqueous environmental matrices due to the discharge of treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as well as industrial wastewater discharge and agricultural leachate [1,2]. These chemicals are not intended for human consumption and therefore exposure to these chemicals may negatively impact human health. Though the potential adverse health effects are not fully understood, many of these compounds have caused concern due to links to endocrine disruption (e.g., bisphenol A [3]) and antimicrobial resistance (e.g., antimicrobials such as triclosan [4]). Furthermore, pyrethroid pesticides although less harmful to the environment and acutely neurotoxic than organophosphate pesticides, have been found to be highly toxic to aquatic organisms including fish [5]. Therefore, monitoring exposure to these chemicals by analysis of parent compounds and human biomarkers is critical to evaluate both human and environmental health.
A novel analytical mass-spectrometry-based framework was developed allowing for the retrospective quantification and confirmation of public exposure to household and industrial chemicals. The targets tested included: bisphenol A, methy-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben, triclosan, triclocarban, chloroxylenol, chlorophene, and chlorocresol as well as selected metabolites including the pyrethroid pesticide metabolites 3-phenoxybenzoic acid and DCCA. Post- acquisition data mining was carried out using a Southwest Avon Catchment study repository, part of the Environmental Chemistry & Public Health Research Group @ Bath mass spectral repository. This data was obtained for both wastewater and environmental water using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a maXIs HD QToF mass spectrometer. Internal standards, added to the samples prior to analysis, allowed for retrospective quantification of targets, which were confirmed
with purchased analytical standards. This was followed by calibration and full quantification. Further confirmation of identified targets was achieved using the bbCID mode. This method was developed with the aim to provide a holistic understanding and assessment of exposure to these chemicals as part of the One Health framework.
The results from the Avon Catchment monitoring campaign revealed spatiotemporal exposure patterns of the various chemicals tested. As an example, the daily loads of triclosan varied between cities in the catchment, with daily loads increasing with population size. This suggested that population size was a key driver of spatial variability. Interday variation was also observed for some compounds, such as bisphenol A, for which daily loads were considerably higher on weekdays compared to weekends. This was particularly noticeable for more industrial cities and indicated occupational exposure.
References
[1] A. Pal, K. Y. H. Gin, A. Y. C. Lin and M. Reinhard, Science of the Total Environment, 2010, 408, 6062-6069.
[2] K. Proctor, B. Petrie, R. Barden, T. Arnot and B. Kasprzyk-Hordern, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2019, 411, 7061-7086.
[3] Y. B. Wetherill, B. T. Akingbemi and J. Kanno, Reprod. Toxicol., 2007, 24, 178-198.
[4] C.A. Giuliano and M.J. Rybak, Pharmacotherapy, 2015, 35, 328-336.
[5] S.P Bradbury and J.R. Coats, Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of pyrethroid insecticides in fish, Environ. Toxicology & Chem.,1989, 8, 373-380
Eva Hawkins1,2, Kishore Jagadeesan1, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern1,2,3.
(1) Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK, [email protected]
(2) Institute for Sustainability, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
(3) Water and Innovation Research Centre, University of Bath, Bath BA7 7AY, UK
Keywords: data mining, household, industrial, public exposure, wastewater-based epidemiology
Household and industrial chemicals, including personal care products (PCPs) and pesticides, are commonly found in aqueous environmental matrices due to the discharge of treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as well as industrial wastewater discharge and agricultural leachate [1,2]. These chemicals are not intended for human consumption and therefore exposure to these chemicals may negatively impact human health. Though the potential adverse health effects are not fully understood, many of these compounds have caused concern due to links to endocrine disruption (e.g., bisphenol A [3]) and antimicrobial resistance (e.g., antimicrobials such as triclosan [4]). Furthermore, pyrethroid pesticides although less harmful to the environment and acutely neurotoxic than organophosphate pesticides, have been found to be highly toxic to aquatic organisms including fish [5]. Therefore, monitoring exposure to these chemicals by analysis of parent compounds and human biomarkers is critical to evaluate both human and environmental health.
A novel analytical mass-spectrometry-based framework was developed allowing for the retrospective quantification and confirmation of public exposure to household and industrial chemicals. The targets tested included: bisphenol A, methy-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben, triclosan, triclocarban, chloroxylenol, chlorophene, and chlorocresol as well as selected metabolites including the pyrethroid pesticide metabolites 3-phenoxybenzoic acid and DCCA. Post- acquisition data mining was carried out using a Southwest Avon Catchment study repository, part of the Environmental Chemistry & Public Health Research Group @ Bath mass spectral repository. This data was obtained for both wastewater and environmental water using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a maXIs HD QToF mass spectrometer. Internal standards, added to the samples prior to analysis, allowed for retrospective quantification of targets, which were confirmed
with purchased analytical standards. This was followed by calibration and full quantification. Further confirmation of identified targets was achieved using the bbCID mode. This method was developed with the aim to provide a holistic understanding and assessment of exposure to these chemicals as part of the One Health framework.
The results from the Avon Catchment monitoring campaign revealed spatiotemporal exposure patterns of the various chemicals tested. As an example, the daily loads of triclosan varied between cities in the catchment, with daily loads increasing with population size. This suggested that population size was a key driver of spatial variability. Interday variation was also observed for some compounds, such as bisphenol A, for which daily loads were considerably higher on weekdays compared to weekends. This was particularly noticeable for more industrial cities and indicated occupational exposure.
References
[1] A. Pal, K. Y. H. Gin, A. Y. C. Lin and M. Reinhard, Science of the Total Environment, 2010, 408, 6062-6069.
[2] K. Proctor, B. Petrie, R. Barden, T. Arnot and B. Kasprzyk-Hordern, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2019, 411, 7061-7086.
[3] Y. B. Wetherill, B. T. Akingbemi and J. Kanno, Reprod. Toxicol., 2007, 24, 178-198.
[4] C.A. Giuliano and M.J. Rybak, Pharmacotherapy, 2015, 35, 328-336.
[5] S.P Bradbury and J.R. Coats, Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of pyrethroid insecticides in fish, Environ. Toxicology & Chem.,1989, 8, 373-380
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 26 Jun 2023 |
| Event | Testing the Waters 6: 6th International Conference on Testing the Waters (TTW6): The International Conference on Wastewater Surveillance - Said Business School, Oxford, Park End St, Oxford, OX1 1HP, UK., Oxford, UK United Kingdom Duration: 26 Jun 2023 → 27 Jun 2023 https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/events/events-2023/testing-the-waters-6 |
Conference
| Conference | Testing the Waters 6 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | TTW6 |
| Country/Territory | UK United Kingdom |
| City | Oxford |
| Period | 26/06/23 → 27/06/23 |
| Internet address |
