Analysis of Human Hormones in Drinking Water Using Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Oral Presentation

Prepared by R. Jack1, C. Fisher1, C. Yang2
1 - Thermo Fisher Scientific, 1214 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA, 94085, United States
2 - Thermo Fisher Scientific, 355 River Oaks Parkway, San Jose, CA, 95134, United States


Contact Information: richard.jack@thermofisher.com; 408-481-4227


ABSTRACT

The presence of hormones in drinking water is a human health concern with several being routinely monitored as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3). Various forms of estrogen are prescribed as a hormonal contraceptive device, for estrogen deficiency syndromes, and to counter the negative effects associated with the natural decline in estrogen levels, such as accelerated bone loss, in postmenopausal women. Due to the widespread use of hormone pharmaceuticals, these often end up in the sewage system as a result of excretion and disposal of unwanted quantities. Additionally, hormones from livestock waste can find its way into drinking water sources. There is evidence that hormones may not be effectively removed during wastewater treatment, and as a result, significant amounts of these hormones may be present in drinking water sources. To monitor the levels of the most common hormones in drinking water, EPA method 539 was developed and this is the basis for the work presented here. Seven hormones were concentrated using an automated solid phase extraction (SPE) system containing high surface area reversed-phase (HRPHS) cartridges, followed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) with time selected-reaction monitoring (TSRM) for detection and quantification. The results of chromatographic separation, SPE recoveries, and method detection limits (MDL) will be presented.