Tools for evaluating selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor residues as environmental contaminants

This article highlights the state of the art in analytical tools for determining the environmental occurrence, the fate and the transformation of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) residues, and refers to the importance of combining chemical analysis and effect analysis. Our aim is to define the gaps that exist in current knowledge, so as to encourage environmental analysis of SSRIs.From a review of the literature, it becomes clear that the least amount of research has been done with regards to the transformation of SSRIs induced by water-treatment or environmental-breakdown processes. In addition, effect analysis has failed to include the possibility of combined toxicity of parent SSRIs, their transformation products and their human metabolites. Finally, we review the prospects in evaluating the environmental relevance of SSRI residues based on advanced instrumental analysis, novel sample preparation and new approaches in toxicological analysis.