UV filters analyzed by isotope diluted TurboFlow-LC-MS/MS in urine from Danish children and adolescents

- A new sensitive quantitative method for determination of a range of UV filters in urine is presented.
- Urinary UV filters of the benzophenone type in children and adolescents reflecting a widespread exposure.
- Adolescent girls had significantly higher urinary benzophenone-1 and -3 compared to younger girls and boys in general.
- Children and adolescents are most likely exposed to UV filters of the benzophenone type from other sources than sunscreen.

IntroductionExperimental studies indicate that some chemicals with UV blocking properties (known as UV filters) can act as endocrine disruptors. UV filters are used in sunscreens and other cosmetic- and personal care products, as well as in other consumer products such as food packaging, clothing and furniture textiles to protect the products against UV radiation. Here we present the urinary excretion of suspected endocrine active UV filters in Danish children and adolescents recruited from the general population.MethodsThe content of benzophenone (BP), benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-2 (BP-2), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), 5-chloro-2- hydroxybenzophenone (BP-7), 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-HBP), 4-methyl-benzophenone (4-MBP), 3-(4- methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC) and 3-benzylidene camphor (3-BC) were monitored in 24 h urine and two consecutive first morning samples from 129 healthy Danish children and adolescents (6-21 yrs). All 387 samples were collected during the autumn (Nov. 2007) and were analyzed by a new on-line TurboFlow-LC-MS/MS method developed for simultaneous biomonitoring of these nine UV filters in urine.ResultsBP-3 and BP-1 were detected in more than 80% of the 24 h samples and were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.815). BP, 4-HBP and BP-2 were found in 43, 15 and 5% of the samples, respectively. The median (range) concentrations of the UV-filters in 24-h urine were as follows: BP-3, 0.92 (LOD-115); BP-1, 0.54 (LOD-44.6); BP,