ARS | Publication request: TRICLOSAN MONITORING OF WASTEWATER AND RIVER WATER SAMPLES FROM THE NORTHEAST OF SPAIN AND THE MIDWEST USA BY ELISA AND GC/MS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 4, 2008
Publication Date: November 16, 2008
Citation: Rubio, F., Farre, M., Shelver, W.L., Kamp, L., Barcelo, D. 2008. Triclosan Monitoring of Wastewater and River Water Samples from the Northeast of Spain and the Midwest USA by ELISA and GC/MS [Abstract]. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 29th Annual Meeting Abstract Book, November 16-20, 2008, Tampa, FL. Presentation 382, page 87.

Technical Abstract: Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) is a broad spectrum antibacterial that is incorporated into numerous household products such as soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags to decrease bacterial contamination. Triclosan is structurally similar to environmental contaminants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls; therefore, numerous reports on triclosan in wastewater treatment effluents have raised concerns. Because of its lipophilicity and slow degradability, triclosan has been demonstrated to bioaccumulate. When exposed to sunlight, triclosan byproducts such as dioxins are produced. Triclosan can also react with chlorine in tap water, forming chlorform gas. Methyl triclosan, presumably formed from bacterial metabolism in sewage plants, has also been reported in environmental samples. Studies have also shown triclosan is an endocrine disruptor which can block thyroid hormone metabolism. Enzyme immunoassays (ELISAs) have proven to be rapid, sensitive, accurate, and cost-effective. Magnetic particle-based ELISAs have previously been described and widely applied to the detection of pesticides and other environmental contaminants in various sample matrices, including water, soil, produce, and fish tissue. The uniform dispersion of the particles throughout the reaction mixture allows for rapid reaction kinetics, precise addition of antibody and superior analytical sensitivity. In this work we investigated the occurrence of triclosan and methyl-triclosan along the influents and effluents of eleven wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the northeast of Spain and in the mid-west USA, the WWTP used different types of secondary treatment. Concentration of triclosan and methyl-triclosan was also determined in the Ebro and Llobregat rivers and in the drinking water supply of Barcelona. Over 100 samples were evaluated using immunoassay (ELISA) as a screening method and positive samples were confirmed by GC-MS. The concentrations of triclosan and methyl-triclosan measured and the percentage of removal due to treatment plant processing will be presented.