An LC-MS/MS based survey of contaminants of emerging concern in drinking water in South Africa

Authors

  • Christiaan Odendaal Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Maitland T. Seaman Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Gabre Kemp Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Huibreght E. Patterton Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Hugh-George Patterton Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2015/20140401

Keywords:

pharmaceuticals, personal care products, mass spectrometry, multiple reaction monitoring, ToxNet

Abstract

Advances in many analytical techniques allow the detection of compounds in water at very low concentrations (ng/L), which has facilitated the identification of many compounds in drinking water that went previously undetected. Some of these compounds are contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), which is broadly defined as any chemical or microorganism that is not currently being routinely monitored but has recently been identified as being present in the environment, and that may pose health or ecological risks. CECs can include pharmaceuticals, personal health care products and pesticides. Some CECs can act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the normal functioning of the human endocrine system, potentially influencing foetal and child development. Although the level of many of these compounds are orders of magnitude below known acute toxicity levels, the health impact of long term exposure at low levels is mostly unknown. In this study, we present the results of a national survey over four seasons of potential CECs in the drinking water of major South African cities. The contaminants most often detected were the related herbicides atrazine and terbuthylazine, and the anticonvulsant and mood-stabilising drug, carbamazepine. The levels of these CECs were well below maximum levels proposed by the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency. However, the range of CECs detected in drinking water, and seasonal and geographic variability in CECs levels, warrant a more frequent screening programme.

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Published

2015-09-25

How to Cite

Odendaal, C., Seaman, M. T., Kemp, G., Patterton, H. E., & Patterton, H.-G. (2015). An LC-MS/MS based survey of contaminants of emerging concern in drinking water in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 111(9/10), 6. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2015/20140401

Issue

Section

Research Article