Emerging micro-pollutants pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) contamination concerns in aquatic organisms - LC/MS and GC/MS analysis

Occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and other organic wastewater contaminants are reported in various environmental matrices. Non-regulated emerging contaminants PPCPs enter into aquatic systems through sewage/wastewater treatment plants after consumption and use by humans and animals. High-end analytical tools such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are invariably used to examine PPCPs at sub-ng/g levels from air, waters, sediments, effluents, aquatic organisms and humans. Studies have indicated that some PPCPs are persistent and have bioaccumulation potential leading to ecological effects and sexual abnormalities in fish. Investigations reveal that PPCPs can biologically transform to breakdown products forming adducts suited for monitoring biomarkers of exposure. Several researchers have identified that PPCPs can impair swimming behavior in fathead minnow (Pimephale promelas) and interfere with thyroid axis in the zebra fish (Danio rerio). Thus, the presence of PPCPs in the environment justifies attention of regulatory authorities and health agencies to address the emerging concern issues requiring further investigation on their eco-toxicological effects and balances.