Analysis of nonylphenol polyethoxylates and their metabolites in water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry detection

Evidence that some alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs) breakdown products are estrogenic has intensified the interest over their environmental and human health effects. Different quantitative methods but one single preparation and extraction method for the analysis of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs) and their metabolites in water samples using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrospray mass spectrometry detection (ESI-MS), are described. Quantification limits range about the low ng/l for the enrichment of 500 ml water samples and mean recoveries of 70% are achieved. These methods were subsequently applied to water samples coming from Austrian treatment plants.