Pharmaceutical substances in ambient particulates: A preliminary assessment

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Air Quality Monitoring
• Pharmaceutical Analysis

Background:

• Pharmaceuticals (PCs) are known environmental contaminants in water, soil, and biota, but their presence in air remains understudied.
• Airborne particulates, specifically PM10 and PM2.5, can act as carriers for various chemical substances.
• Understanding the atmospheric fate and transport of PCs is crucial for a comprehensive environmental risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first characterization of pharmaceutical compound occurrence in airborne particulate matter.
• To develop and apply analytical methods for detecting and quantifying selected PCs in PM samples.
• To investigate potential seasonal variations in the atmospheric presence of pharmaceuticals.

Main Methods:

• Airborne particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) was collected using medium-volume pumping systems in Amsterdam, Rome, and Rende.
• Samples underwent solvent extraction, followed by column chromatography to isolate polar organic compounds, including PCs.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MSD) was employed for the quantification of target pharmaceuticals after derivatization.

Main Results:

• Pharmaceutical compounds were successfully quantified in airborne particulate matter, with concentrations ranging from <0.1 to 8.6 ng m⁻³.
• Good repeatability, reproducibility, and recovery rates were achieved for most target compounds.
• Distinct seasonal variations in pharmaceutical compound profiles were observed in samples from Rome and Rende.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates the presence and quantifies pharmaceutical compounds in airborne particulates for the first time.
• The developed analytical methodology is effective for characterizing airborne PCs.
• Seasonal variations suggest dynamic atmospheric processes influencing the distribution of pharmaceuticals.