Validation of analytical methods for chlordecone and its metabolites in the urine and feces of ewes

To be able to monitor the fate of chlordecone and its metabolites in livestock and to assess if the compounds could be released in the environment, urinary and fecal samples were logically targeted. In order to reach this goal, robust and validated analytical methods are required. For this purpose, Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction methods were validated to analyze CLD and its metabolites in the urine and feces. The analysis was carried using liquid phase chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and validated according to French standard NF V03-110 and SANTE guidelines. Matrix effect, Accuracy, within-laboratory repeatability, specificity, Q/q relative ion intensities and uncertainty were reported. Recoveries between 70% and 120% were obtained from urine and feces. The limits of quantification (LOQ) in urine samples were 0.1 μg CLD L−1, 0.1 μg total CLD (CLD and its conjugates)·L−1, 1.3 μg CLDOH L−1 and 2.4 μg total CLD (chlordecol and its conjugates) L−1 of urine. LOQ in fresh feces were 3.2 μg CLD kg−1 and 5.8 μg CLDOH kg−1. Contaminated urinary and fecal samples from ewes were analyzed to confirm the relevance of the methods. In urine, CLD and conjugated CLDOH could be quantified whereas only free CLD and free CLDOH were found in feces. These methods are essential for future toxicokinetic studies and also to estimate the environmental contamination.