3P-12 PDF
Detection of hormonal and antihormonal contaminants in Taiwanese rivers using yeast bioassays and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Over the past few decades, environmental contaminants showing hormonal and antihormonal properties have drawn public attention due to their ability to disrupt the physiological responses of organisms at trace concentrations. To evaluate the possible influence of these contaminants on human health and the environment, it is essential to measure their environmental concentrations and to evaluate the combined effects of contaminants acting by similar mechanisms. In this study, yeast-based reporter gene assays and LC–MS/MS were used to detect the occurrence of estrogenic, antiestrogenic, androgenic, and antiandrogenic contaminants in water and suspended solids (SS) collected from five Taiwanese rivers. Experimental results showed that estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and antiandrogenic activities were often detected in river water samples. In addition, strong antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activities were also frequently found in SS samples. LC–MS/MS analysis revealed that natural hormones were sometimes the major contributors to the estrogenicity found in the samples. In contrast, although bisphenol A and nonylphenol were frequently detected, these synthetic compounds only accounted for a small portion of the estrogenicity or antiandrogenicity in the river water or SS extracts.