Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) refer to a broad group of thousands of combinations of chemicals used in products for personal health, cosmetics, and agribusiness. Many of these compounds are thought to have a wide range of effects on humans and other species, as well as bacteria. With recent development of analytical techniques to measure low concentrations of these contaminants, environmental PPCPs can now be measured at relevant levels by scientists and regulators. Although this group of compounds is currently unregulated, PPCPs are strong candidates for future regulation.

AXYS has been measuring PPCPs by LC-MS/MS instrumentation since 2005. Our current method measures a suite of 75 targets in ambient water, sediment POTW effluent, POTW influent, and POTW sludge. Due to the complex nature of this group of contaminants, different extractions (acidic and basic) and ionization techniques are employed as subsets of the overall approach. All analytes are quantified by recovery correction through the use of Carbon labeled surrogates, added at the start of the analytical process. Required measurements are usually in the ng/L range.

Many of the products we use in our everyday life are part of the PPCP group, including cosmetics, fragrances and creams that we apply to our skin, prescription and over-the-counter drugs used in human and veterinary health, and vitamin supplements we consume. The most common pathway to the environment is through waste water treatment systems. When ingested by humans some PPCPs are partially absorbed or metabolized by the human body, however others are excreted in whole or in part unchanged. Entry into waste water systems also occurs through improper disposal of unused drugs. Production and disposal from illegal drug operations is also a concern. PPCPs tend to partition to both solid and aqueous phases in waste treatment systems. Each compound will do so to a greater or lesser degree. Concerns exist for both PPCPs in effluent or in biosolids (which may subsequently be used as fertilizer for agriculture). The greatest level of concern is noted in areas of high water re-use. Many drinking water sources in North America are partially or completely composed of water that has passed through a waste treatment facility.

Since many of PPCP products are designed to stimulate a physiological response in humans, plants, and animals their potential effects on the receiving aquatic environment at much lower levels and in metabolized or altered forms is of growing concern. Studies have shown antibiotic resistant bacteria, reproductive impairment, increased occurrence of cancer. Abnormal physiological processes are potential effects. Currently, human health effects are poorly documented. Clearly, much more research is needed into the occurrence, transport, and ultimate fate of PPCPs and long term exposure.

AXYS specializes in measurement of PPCPs to nanogram or lower concentrations from standard sample sizes. Our specialized sampling and analytical procedures may allow for much lower detection limits and reduced sample sizes in water and sediment matrices. We deliver legally defensible data under ISO 17025 certified systems applying methods accredited by NELAP and CAEAL. Electronic Data Deliverables (EDD), customized for download to our clients’ relational databases, are available in addition to standard format report and full data packages.

Please contact one of our Project Managers at 1 888 373 0881 or +1 (250) 655-5800 to discuss how AXYS can support your analytical advantage.

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