The Material Matters: Sorption/Desorption Study of Selected Estrogens on Common Tubing or Sampling Materials Used in Water Sampling, Handling, Analysis or Treatment Technologies

Plastic/rubber materials used as fasteners in equipment for analyzing or removing organic pollutants water treatment technologies form an essential part of the device. Micropollutants are typically present at very low concentrations (ng/L to µg/L). Therefore, when designing, example, units advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) planning sample handling, it is necessary assess whether material compatible with usually hydrophobic nature pollutants. As a model possible interactions estrogens, namely, estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) six commonly plastic rubber were investigated environmentally relevant (100–500 ng/L). In first phase, we proved that polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) adsorbed only negligible amounts while significant E1, E2 EE2 onto Tygon S3™ material. Another unsuitable was styrene butadiene (SBR), sorbing considerable quantity estrone. A detailed test EPDM higher (300 500 ng/L) prolonged soaking time showed sorption after 12 h both deionized tap matrices. Thus, EPDM, PTFE PVDF suitable handling producing devices AOP due their chemical inertness mechanical flexibility. The results suggest come into contact contaminated must be carefully selected, especially working concentrations.