AWWA WQTC65970

Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) are a group of compounds that include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, drugs used in hospitals, veterinary drugs, and drugs used for fish hatcheries. A variety of PhACs were reported in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, surface water, and groundwater as well as in drinking water. Most publications reported a limited number of selected PhACs. The concentration levels of PhACs in water supplies and drinking water vary, but are typically less than 100 ng/L. Although no known adverse human health effects are associated with the detected PhACs, contamination from PhACs is of great concern due to potential long-term health effects. It is extremely difficult to analyze a broad spectrum list of PhACs. The first challenge is that sample matrices may be relatively complex because most PhACs originate in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and are typically present at trace concentrations. Therefore, analytical methods must be highly specific and sensitive. In this regard, chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection are often used. The second challenge is that different classes of PhACs may have different properties and stabilities. Acidic, neutral, and basic PhACs are difficult to analyze together in one method. Also, different sample preservation and preparation approaches are often needed. In addition, analytical methods must be robust and reliable to deal with varied matrices and concentration levels. Highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI/MS/MS), coupled with solid-phase extraction (SPE) sample preparation techniques, was used for the analysis of a wide range of selected PhACs in water. The method performance including sensitivity, accuracy, and precision was studied. Includes abstract only.