PPCPs effect on the environment

Environmental NEWS - Spring 2008

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have received a lot of attention recently due to an investigation by the Associated Press (AP). The AP reports cited growing concern over the presence of PPCPs in the world’s drinking waters and hence our exposure to these compounds.

Dr. Jia Wang analyzes water samples for PPCPs by Thermo Triple Stage Quadrupole LC/MS/MS.

What are PPCPs? PPCPs are a diverse collection of chemical compounds that include prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, veterinary drugs, fragrances, cosmetics and diagnostic agents. In the environmental analysis venue, they are often referred to as “emerging contaminants.” Several other groups of chemicals such as steroids, nonyl phenols and bisphenol A have also been lumped into the emerging contaminants category.

PPCPs enter the environment through human activities, excretion and bathing, veterinary drug use, residues from manufacturing and improper disposal of excess prescription and over-the-counter medications. While to date there is not substantial evidence that demonstrates adverse human health effects from PPCPs in the environment, much of the concerns stem from:

Modern sewage treatment systems are not equipped to remove PPCPs.
The risks are unknown and require substantially more research.
The number of PPCPs in use is growing as is the quantity of each PPCP being used.
Although at relatively low concentrations, dozens of PPCPs have already been detected in numerous water supplies.

EPA published several methods in December 2007 to address these growing concerns. EPA Method 1694 was developed to address more than 70 commonly used PPCPs. The method uses a complex solid phase extraction protocol followed by instrumental analysis using LC/MS/MS in both the positive ion and negative ion modes. Due to the complexity of the chemistries that the range of PPCPs covers, a single sample requires four instrumental analyses, from this one method, to accommodate all the PPCPs.

Lancaster Laboratories is in the process of setting up for and validating EPA Method 1694. We expect to offer this analysis by early summer. For more information, please contact specialty services manager Chuck Neslund at 717-656-2300, ext. 1819.