Detection of Japanese PRTR Chemicals in a River Affected by Effluent from Industrial and Sewage Facilities

Abstract

There has been little long-term environmental monitoring for specified chemicals and information on PRTR chemicals in the water environment is necessary in order to evaluate and manage environmental risks. In this study, river water was collected at eight sites of an urban river in each season from 2010 to 2013, and environmental monitoring was performed on 359 PRTR chemicals (388 including isomers) using GC/MS and LC/MS/MS. As a result, 232 PRTR chemicals were detected. Most of the chemicals detected were for industrial use, with very low concentrations (less than 0.1 µg/L), and low detection ratios. This is the first large-scale monitoring of PRTR chemicals in Japan, and the need for and usefulness of environmental monitoring of PRTR chemicals have been confirmed.