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Mass spectrometry applied to the analysis of estrogens in the environment
Author(s) -
Croley Timothy R.,
Hughes Richard J.,
Koenig Brenda G.,
Metcalfe Chris D.,
March Raymond E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0231(20000715)14:13<1087::aid-rcm992>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - chemistry , chromatography , mass spectrometry , tandem mass spectrometry , environmental chemistry , environmental analysis , liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry , gas chromatography
Environmental analytical chemistry has recently changed focus from analysis of non‐polar, persistent contaminants (e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins) to more polar and labile compounds that interfere with biological processes. For example, natural and synthetic estrogens and their metabolites have been detected in sewage treatment plant effluents at nanogram/liter concentrations that are similar to those at which both total sex reversal and intersex (containing both testes and ova) is induced in fish exposed to these compounds in laboratory experiments. The development of techniques for the analysis of natural and synthetic estrogens in biological fluids (i.e. serum and urine) has been a priority in the biomedical field. However, the recent recognition that estrogen hormones are contaminants in the environment that may contribute to endocrine disruption has focused attention on the need for highly sensitive and specific techniques that are applicable for trace analysis in complex environmental matrices. Three optimized mass spectrometric protocols have been developed for the determination and quantitation of steroid hormones in environmental matrices using gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry selected ion monitoring, (LC/MS ‐ SIM) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The advantages and disadvantages of each method are presented. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.