Analysis of trace parabens in environmental samples by highly efficient solid‐phase microextraction coupled with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Widespread use of parabens in consumer products has resulted in their ubiquitous existence in the environment including sewage, soil, and sewage sludge. Their potential for human health hazards has, therefore, raised significant public concerns. In this work, an effective in-tube solid-phase microextraction device based on a poly(4-vinylphenylboronic acid-co-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) was combined with analysis with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for detecting parabens in sewage and soil samples, with the limits of detection ranged between 0.64 and 1.4 ng/L.Trace parabens in sewage and soil samples were determined, with amounts of four parabens in the range 0.0141-3.78 ng/g, whereas benzylparaben was not detected. Satisfactory recoveries were observed for the five parabens (86.4-113%), with relative standard deviations (n = 5) ranging between 2.1 and 6.0%. The results indicated that the developed method is prospective to expand in environmental monitoring.