Comprehensive determination of phthalate, terephthalate and di-iso-nonyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate metabolites in wastewater by solid-phase extraction and ultra(high)-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Plasticizers are chemical compounds used in the production of flexible plastics for a large variety applications. They present most environments and, hence, we highly exposed to them via several routes (ingestion, inhalation, etc). Due endocrine disruption potential some these chemicals and unknown toxicological effects their alternatives, assessing human exposure contaminants is an issue emerging concern. Herein propose analytical methodology determination plasticizer metabolites wastewater as non-invasive, cheap, fast monitoring tool complementary analysis urine. A solid-phase extraction procedure followed by ultra(high)-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was optimized validated 21 analytes among phthalate, terephthalate, di-iso-nonyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate metabolites. Method quantification limits ranged from 0.079 4.4 ng L−1. The applied seven daily composite samples collected NW Spain. Metabolites low molecular weight phthalates di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate were quantified all samples, despite existing regulations limiting use phthalates. terephthalates, introduced at end 20th century substituents, also being first time that they detected this matrix. Exposure back-calculation highlighted terephthalate second common plastic additive after diethyl population considered, reflecting increasing substitution its analogous terephthalate.