A review of separation methods for the determination of estrogens and plastics-derived estrogen mimics from aqueous systems

Recent methods of separation and detection for the quantification of trace-level concentrations of selected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) from aqueous systems are reviewed. A brief introduction of the selected EDCs (natural and synthetic estrogens and plastics-derived xenoestrogens), including their characteristics and importance, is presented. Sample preparation and extraction trends are discussed. Various types of separation techniques are presented, with the express goal of emphasizing time and cost-effective methods that isolate and quantify trace-levels of multiple endocrine disruptors from aqueous systems.

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► Estrogenic compounds derived from medications and plastics are present in aqueous environments and must be quantified.
► Recent high-throughput, automated, and cost-effective GC and HPLC methods capable of trace level (ng L−1) quantification of EDCs in aqueous systems are reviewed.
► Mass spectrometry offers optimal selectivity and sensitivity required for trace EDC analysis.