BTES and aldehydes analysis in PET-bottled water in Lebanon

The aim of this study was to determine benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene (BTES), formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde in Lebanese polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-bottled water. Aldehydes were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-visible detection (HPLC/UV-vis) after 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivatisation and solid phase extraction (SPE) concentration, whereas headspace trap gas chromatograph-flame ionisation detector (GC/FID) was used for BTES determination. Both methods were validated according to the NF XP 90-210 and showed good linearity ranging from 3 (limit of quantification [LOQ]) to 15 µg L⁻¹ for BTES and from 20 (LOQ) to 900 µg L⁻¹ for aldehydes. No quantified contamination with BTES, acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde was determined in all analysed fresh Lebanese PET-bottled waters. Formaldehyde was quantified in 3 of the 15 samples at concentrations lower than the maximum contaminant level set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation. The samples' exposure to sunlight during 5 months increases the migration of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Similar migration increase was observed when the samples were incubated at 40°C during 10 days.