Drinking water nitrosamines in a large metropolitan region in Brazil

Author(s)

Vizioli, Beatriz De Caroli ^[1] ; Hantao, Leandro Wang ^[1] ; Montagner, Cassiana Carolina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Chem, Dept Analyt Chem, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research; v. 28, n. 25, p. 32823-32830, JUL 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Nitrosamines are a concerning group of carcinogens, which have gained increasing attention over the last years, frequently found in drinking and recycled water systems. In this work, an analytical method was developed for the detection and quantification of seven nitrosamines (NDMA, NMEA, NPYR, NDEA, NPIP, NDPA, and NDBA) in drinking water. The method is based on gas chromatography coupled with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS) with electron ionization (EI) mode. Sample enrichment and matrix cleanup by solid-phase extraction (SPE) were performed using the US EPA Method 521 cartridge packed with coconut-based charcoal. The simple method allowed reliable identification and quantification of nitrosamines in the water at nanogram per liter levels. The optimized method was validated at three concentration levels (20, 100, and 200 ng L-1) in ultrapure and drinking water samples. Average recoveries were 63-87% for ultrapure water and 38-79% for drinking water with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 10% for both matrices. Method detection limits were 1.23-3.14 ng L-1. The described method was applied to eighteen drinking water samples collected from 13 cities of the Metropolitan Region of Campinas (Sao Paulo, Brazil). NDMA was the most frequent nitrosamine detected (89% of samples) and had the highest concentration level found (67 ng L-1). The levels of nitrosamines found in drinking water samples are of considerable relevance since the selected area is a major urban center that has amply expanded industrial and agricultural activities over the last few decades. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of nitrosamines in drinking water conducted in Brazil to date. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50951-4 - INCT 2014: Advanced Analytical Technologies
• Grantee: Celio Pasquini
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/24740-6 - Priorization of aquatic emerging contaminants from São Paulo State
• Grantee: Cassiana Carolina Montagner
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/25490-1 - Synthesis and application of ionic liquids to unveil the chemistry of fermentative processes
• Grantee: Leandro Wang Hantao
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants