Alkylphenols and phthalates in bottled waters

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in bottled waters. The examined compounds were bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), tert-octylphenol (tOP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di(n-octyl)phthalate (DNOP). The presence of EDCs in bottled waters under poor storage conditions was also investigated after exposure outdoors under realistic conditions for 15 and 30 days. EDCs were recovered after liquid-liquid extraction and determined by employing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Most of these compounds were detected in bottled water from different brands purchased from local market. Storage at outdoor conditions had no significant effect on the concentrations of the examined compounds. Only BPA occurred at higher concentrations in polycarbonate containers exhibited an increasing trend during exposure. The estimated exposure to EDCs via consumption of drinking water was very low.