Development and validation of a GC/MS method for determination of phenolic xenoestrogens in aquatic samples

A simple and sensitive GC/MS method for the quantitative determination of the estrogenic phenolic compounds 4-nonylphenol, 4-t-octylphenol, bisphenol A, 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 2-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, 4-hydroxybiphenyl, 2-hydroxybiphenyl, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, and 4-chloro-2-methylphenol in aquatic samples was developed. The method for assessing their occurrence in sewage, surface and drinking waters consists of solid phase extraction (SPE) using a polystyrene copolymer phase. After methylation of the extract HRGC/LRMS analysis was possible without any clean up, even in raw sewage samples. Limits of detection and determination were between <0.01 and 0.05 ng/l and 0.01 and 0.05 ng/l, respectively. Recoveries were above 70% with exception of 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole.