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Monteil-Rivera F, Locke S, Ye M, Smyth SA, Sullivan K, Okonski A, Jagla M, Gutzman D. Quantification of quaternary ammonium compounds by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: Minimizing losses from the field to the laboratory. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1723:464905. [PMID: 38640882 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.464905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) are widely used in household, medical and industrial settings. As a consequence, they are ubiquitously found in the environment. Although significant efforts have been put into the development of sensitive and reproducible analytical methods, much less effort has been dedicated to the monitoring of QACs upon sample storage and sample preparation. Here we studied the effect of storage, concentration, and extraction procedures on the concentrations of QACs in samples. Thirteen QACs selected amongst benzalkonium compounds (BACs), dialkyldimethylammonium compounds (DADMACs) and alkyltrimethylammonium compounds (ATMACs) were quantified in aqueous and solid samples using LC-MS/MS. Most QACs adsorbed on container walls could be recovered using a short washing step with MeOH containing 2 % v/v formic acid. Concentrations of QACs from aqueous solutions using solid phase extraction (SPE) with Strata-X cartridges and elution with acidified MeOH utilized to wash the emptied containers gave highly satisfactory recoveries (101-111 %). Good recoveries (89-116 %) were also obtained when extracting a spiked organic-rich synthetic soil using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with acidified MeOH at low solid/solvent ratio (0.4 g/20 mL). Applying the recommended methodologies to real samples collected from a Canadian wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) gave QAC concentrations in the ranges of 0.01-30 µg/L, < 1.2 µg/L, and 0.05-27 mg/kg for the influent, effluent and biosolids samples, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Monteil-Rivera
- National Research Council of Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Center, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada.
| | - Steven Locke
- National Research Council of Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Center, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Mengwei Ye
- National Research Council of Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Center, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Shirley Anne Smyth
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Regulatory Operations, Policy and Emerging Science Division, 867 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Katrina Sullivan
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Substance Prioritization, Assessment and Coordination Division, 351St. Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, QC, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Alexander Okonski
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Substance Prioritization, Assessment and Coordination Division, 351St. Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, QC, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Magdalena Jagla
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Substance Prioritization, Assessment and Coordination Division, 351St. Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, QC, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Don Gutzman
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Substance Prioritization, Assessment and Coordination Division, 351St. Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, QC, K1A 0H3, Canada
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Lopez VA, Lim JL, Seguin RP, Dempsey JL, Kunzman G, Cui JY, Xu L. Oral Exposure to Benzalkonium Chlorides in Male and Female Mice Reveals Sex-Dependent Alteration of the Gut Microbiome and Bile Acid Profile. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.593991. [PMID: 38798482 PMCID: PMC11118417 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Benzalkonium chlorides (BACs) are commonly used disinfectants in a variety of consumer and food-processing settings, and the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased usage of BACs. The prevalence of BACs raises the concern that BAC exposure could disrupt the gastrointestinal microbiota, thus interfering with the beneficial functions of the microbes. We hypothesize that BAC exposure can alter the gut microbiome diversity and composition, which will disrupt bile acid homeostasis along the gut-liver axis. In this study, male and female mice were exposed orally to d 7 -C12- and d 7 -C16-BACs at 120 µg/g/day for one week. UPLC-MS/MS analysis of liver, blood, and fecal samples of BAC-treated mice demonstrated the absorption and metabolism of BACs. Both parent BACs and their metabolites were detected in all exposed samples. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was carried out on the bacterial DNA isolated from the cecum intestinal content. For female mice, and to a lesser extent in males, we found that treatment with either d 7 -C12- or d 7 -C16-BAC led to decreased alpha diversity and differential composition of gut bacteria with notably decreased actinobacteria phylum. Lastly, through a targeted bile acid quantitation analysis, we observed decreases in secondary bile acids in BAC-treated mice, which was more pronounced in the female mice. This finding is supported by decreases in bacteria known to metabolize primary bile acids into secondary bile acids, such as the families of Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. Together, these data signify the potential impact of BACs on human health through disturbance of the gut microbiome and gut-liver interactions.
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Nguyen R, Seguin RP, Ross DH, Chen P, Richardson S, Liem J, Lin YS, Xu L. Development and Application of a Multidimensional Database for the Detection of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds and Their Phase I Hepatic Metabolites in Humans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6236-6249. [PMID: 38534032 PMCID: PMC11008582 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significantly increased human exposure to the widely used disinfectants quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Xenobiotic metabolism serves a critical role in the clearance of environmental molecules, yet limited data are available on the routes of QAC metabolism or metabolite levels in humans. To address this gap and to advance QAC biomonitoring capabilities, we analyzed 19 commonly used QACs and their phase I metabolites by liquid chromatography-ion mobility-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS/MS). In vitro generation of QAC metabolites by human liver microsomes produced a series of oxidized metabolites, with metabolism generally occurring on the alkyl chain group, as supported by MS/MS fragmentation. Discernible trends were observed in the gas-phase IM behavior of QAC metabolites, which, despite their increased mass, displayed smaller collision cross-section (CCS) values than those of their respective parent compounds. We then constructed a multidimensional reference SQLite database consisting of m/z, CCS, retention time (rt), and MS/MS spectra for 19 parent QACs and 81 QAC metabolites. Using this database, we confidently identified 13 parent QACs and 35 metabolites in de-identified human fecal samples. This is the first study to integrate in vitro metabolite biosynthesis with LC-IM-MS/MS for the simultaneous monitoring of parent QACs and their metabolites in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Nguyen
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Ryan P. Seguin
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Dylan H. Ross
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Pengyu Chen
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Sean Richardson
- Department
of Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jennifer Liem
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Yvonne S. Lin
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Libin Xu
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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4
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Belova L, Poma G, Roggeman M, Jeong Y, Kim DH, Berghmans P, Peters J, Salamova A, van Nuijs ALN, Covaci A. Identification and characterization of quaternary ammonium compounds in Flemish indoor dust by ion-mobility high-resolution mass spectrometry. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 177:108021. [PMID: 37307605 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are a class of surfactants commonly used in disinfecting and cleaning products. Their use has substantially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic leading to increasing human exposure. QACs have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions and an increased risk of asthma. This study introduces the first identification, characterization and semi-quantification of QACs in European indoor dust using ion-mobility high-resolution mass spectrometry (IM-HRMS), including the acquisition of collision cross section values (DTCCSN2) for targeted and suspect QACs. A total of 46 indoor dust samples collected in Belgium were analyzed using target and suspect screening. Targeted QACs (n = 21) were detected with detection frequencies ranging between 4.2 and 100 %, while 15 QACs showed detection frequencies > 90 %. Semi-quantified concentrations of individual QACs showed a maximum of 32.23 µg/g with a median ∑QAC concentration of 13.05 µg/g and allowed the calculation of Estimated Daily Intakes for adults and toddlers. Most abundant QACs matched the patterns reported in indoor dust collected in the United States. Suspect screening allowed the identification of 17 additional QACs. A dialkyl dimethyl ammonium compound with mixed chain lengths (C16:C18) was characterized as a major QAC homologue with a maximum semi-quantified concentration of 24.90 µg/g. The high detection frequencies and structural variabilities observed call for more European studies on potential human exposure to these compounds. For all targeted QACs, drift tube IM-HRMS derived collision cross section values (DTCCSN2) are reported. Reference DTCCSN2 values allowed the characterization of CCS-m/z trendlines for each of the targeted QAC classes. Experimental CCS-m/z ratios of suspect QACs were compared with the CCS-m/z trendlines. The alignment between the two datasets served as an additional confirmation of the assigned suspect QACs. The use of the 4bit multiplexing acquisition mode with consecutive high-resolution demultiplexing confirmed the presence of isomers for two of the suspect QACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Belova
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Yunsun Jeong
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Division for Environmental Health, Korea Environment Institute (KEI), Sicheong-daero 370, Sejong 30147, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Hye Kim
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patrick Berghmans
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Jan Peters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Amina Salamova
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Iakubchak O, Adamenko L, Taran T, Sydorenko O, Rozbytska T, Tverezovska N, Israelian V, Holembovska N, Menchynska A, Ivaniuta A. The study of the cytotoxic effect of disinfectants. POTRAVINARSTVO 2023. [DOI: 10.5219/1822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of individual disinfectants has been studied in vitro using human cell cultures (HT-29 (epithelial-like cells of colon adenocarcinoma), HEK 293 (human embryonic kidney cells)) to create a model for assessing the toxicity of residual amounts of disinfectants that can enter milk for a person. Standard tests have been used to assess cell viability and amount: methyl tetrazolium (MTT) test, neutral red cell staining (NRP), and sulforhodamine B (SRB) test. Disinfectants have a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect on human cell cultures. IC50avg (concentration of the drug that suppresses a certain cell function by 50%) of disinfectants based on the effect on cell cultures (average value) is Biodez – 117.29 ±14 μl/l, Blanidas – 389.25 ±20.83 μl/l, Virkon-S – 343.04 ±28.04 μl/l, Neochlor – 473.82 ±30.16 μl/l, Phan – 56.71 ±7.05 μl/l, Chlorination – 343.28 ±27.26 μl/l, Chlorinated lime – 117.35 ±9.44 μl/l. Mean toxic doses for cell cultures are lower than the mean lethal dose (based on literature data) for rats and mice by gastric administration. The novelty is that determining the cytotoxicity of disinfectants in vitro using human cell cultures can significantly reduce the number of animals for establishing LD50 during the registration procedure of new agents, making it possible to make preliminary conclusions about the toxicity of substances at the stage of chemical screening, preliminary hygienic regulation, identify target organs of toxic influence.
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Godfrey AR, Dunscombe J, Gravell A, Hunter A, Barrow MP, van Keulen G, Desbrow C, Townsend R. Use of QuEChERS as a manual and automated high-throughput protocol for investigating environmental matrices. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136313. [PMID: 36067814 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution has strong links to adverse human health outcomes with risks of pollution through production, use, ineffective wastewater (WW) remediation, and/or leachate from landfill. 'Fit-for-purpose' monitoring approaches are critical for better pollution control and mitigation of harm, with current sample preparation methods for complex environmental matrices typically time-consuming and labour intensive, unsuitable for high-throughput screening. This study has shown that a modified 'Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged and Safe' (QuEChERS) sample preparation is a viable alternative for selected environmental matrices required for pollution monitoring (e.g. WW effluent, treated sludge cake and homogenised biota tissue). As a manual approach, reduced extraction times (hours to ∼20 min/sample) with largely reproducible (albeit lower) recoveries of a range of pharmaceuticals and biocidal surfactants have been reported. Its application has shown clear differentiation of matrices via chemometrics, and the measurement of pollutants of interest to the UK WW industry at concentrations significantly above suggested instrument detection limits (IDL) for sludge, indicating insufficient removal and/or bioaccumulation during WW treatment. Furthermore, new pollutant candidates of emerging concern were identified - these included detergents, polymers and pharmaceuticals, with quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) biocides observed at 2.3-70.4 mg/kg, and above levels associated with priority substances for environmental quality regulation (EQSD). Finally, the QuEChERS protocol was adapted to function as a fully automated workflow, further reducing the resource to complete both the preparation and analysis to <40 min. This operated with improved recovery for soil and biota (>62%), and when applied to a largely un-investigated clay matrix, acceptable recovery (88.0-131.1%) and precision (≤10.3% RSD) for the tested pharmaceuticals and biocides was maintained. Therefore, this preliminary study has shown the successful application of a high-throughput QuEChERS protocol across a range of environmental solids for potential deployment in a regulated laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ruth Godfrey
- Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
| | | | - Anthony Gravell
- Natural Resources Wales Analytical Services, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Ann Hunter
- Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Mark P Barrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - Claire Desbrow
- Biotage GB Limited, Dyffryn Business Park, Hengoed, CF82 7TS, UK
| | - Rachel Townsend
- Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
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Maculewicz J, Świacka K, Stepnowski P, Dołżonek J, Białk-Bielińska A. Ionic liquids as potentially hazardous pollutants: Evidences of their presence in the environment and recent analytical developments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129353. [PMID: 35738170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered to be very promising group of chemicals and the number of their potential applications is growing rapidly. However, while these compounds were originally proposed as a green alternative to classical solvents, there are certain doubts as to whether this classification is correct. Although in recent years there have been first reports published proving the presence of some ILs in the environment and even in human blood, at this point the scale of this possible problem is not yet fully understood. However, there is no doubt that as the number of ILs applications increases, analytical capabilities for rapid detection of possible environmental contamination should be also considered. Therefore, in this review paper, recent evidences for the ILs environmental contamination as well as analytical achievements related to the extraction of ILs from various environmental matrices have been summarized and important gaps and future perspectives have been pointed out. Based on the presented data it might be concluded that there is the urgent need for further development towards risk assessment of these potential environmental contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Maculewicz
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Klaudia Świacka
- Department of Marine Ecosystems Functioning, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdansk, Av. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Piotr Stepnowski
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Joanna Dołżonek
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Białk-Bielińska
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Zheng G, Schreder E, Sathyanarayana S, Salamova A. The first detection of quaternary ammonium compounds in breast milk: Implications for early-life exposure. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:682-688. [PMID: 35437305 PMCID: PMC9015285 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00439-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), commonly used in cleaning, disinfecting, and personal care products, have recently gained worldwide attention due to the massive use of disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite extensive use of these chemicals, no studies have focused on the analysis of QACs in human milk, a major route of exposure for infants. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to identify and measure QACs in breast milk and evaluate early-life exposure to this group of compounds for nursing infants. METHODS Eighteen QACs, including 6 benzylalkyldimethyl ammonium compounds (BACs, with alkyl chain lengths of C8-C18), 6 dialkyldimethyl ammonium compounds (DDACs, C8-C18), and 6 alkyltrimethyl ammonium compounds (ATMACs, C8-C18), were measured in breast milk samples collected from U.S. mothers. Daily lactational intake was estimated based on the determined concentrations for 0-12 month old nursing infants. RESULTS Thirteen of the 18 QACs were detected in breast milk and 7 of them were found in more than half of the samples. The total QAC concentrations (ΣQAC) ranged from 0.33 to 7.4 ng/mL (median 1.5 ng/mL). The most abundant QAC was C14-BAC with a median concentration of 0.45 ng/mL. The highest median ΣQAC estimated daily intake (EDI) was determined for <1-month old infants based on the average (using the median concentration) and high (using the 95th percentile concentration) exposure scenarios (230 and 750 ng/kg body weight/day, respectively). SIGNIFICANCE Our findings provide the first evidence of the detection of several QACs in breast milk and identify breastfeeding as an exposure pathway to QACs for nursing infants. IMPACT STATEMENT Our findings provide the first evidence of QAC occurrence in breast milk and identify breastfeeding as one of the exposure pathways to QACs for nursing infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomao Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | | | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington/Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 91807, USA
| | - Amina Salamova
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Zheng G, Webster TF, Salamova A. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: Bioaccumulation Potentials in Humans and Levels in Blood before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14689-14698. [PMID: 34662096 PMCID: PMC8547165 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used in a variety of consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical products. In this study, bioaccumulation potentials of 18 QACs with alkyl chain lengths of C8-C18 were determined in the in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) model using the results of human hepatic metabolism and serum protein binding experiments. The slowest in vivo clearance rates were estimated for C12-QACs, suggesting that these compounds may preferentially build up in blood. The bioaccumulation of QACs was further confirmed by the analysis of human blood (sera) samples (n = 222). Fifteen out of the 18 targeted QACs were detected in blood with the ΣQAC concentrations reaching up to 68.6 ng/mL. The blood samples were collected during two distinct time periods: before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (2019; n = 111) and during the pandemic (2020, n = 111). The ΣQAC concentrations were significantly higher in samples collected during the pandemic (median 6.04 ng/mL) than in those collected before (median 3.41 ng/mL). This is the first comprehensive study on the bioaccumulation and biomonitoring of the three major QAC groups and our results provide valuable information for future epidemiological, toxicological, and risk assessment studies targeting these chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomao Zheng
- O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, United States
| | - Thomas F. Webster
- School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Amina Salamova
- O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, United States
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Amelin VG, Shogah ZAC, Bol’shakov DS. Identification of Cationic and Anionic Surfactants by Chromatography–Mass-Spectrometry in the Microextraction–Fluorimetry Screening of Water and Food Products. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s106193482105004x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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11
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Amelin VG, Shogah ZAC, Bol’shakov DS. Microextraction–Colorimetric (Fluorimetric) Determination of Cationic and Anionic Surfactants in Food Products. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1061934821030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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12
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Abbott T, Kor-Bicakci G, Islam MS, Eskicioglu C. A Review on the Fate of Legacy and Alternative Antimicrobials and Their Metabolites during Wastewater and Sludge Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239241. [PMID: 33287448 PMCID: PMC7729486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial compounds are used in a broad range of personal care, consumer and healthcare products and are frequently encountered in modern life. The use of these compounds is being reexamined as their safety, effectiveness and necessity are increasingly being questioned by regulators and consumers alike. Wastewater often contains significant amounts of these chemicals, much of which ends up being released into the environment as existing wastewater and sludge treatment processes are simply not designed to treat many of these contaminants. Furthermore, many biotic and abiotic processes during wastewater treatment can generate significant quantities of potentially toxic and persistent antimicrobial metabolites and byproducts, many of which may be even more concerning than their parent antimicrobials. This review article explores the occurrence and fate of two of the most common legacy antimicrobials, triclosan and triclocarban, their metabolites/byproducts during wastewater and sludge treatment and their potential impacts on the environment. This article also explores the fate and transformation of emerging alternative antimicrobials and addresses some of the growing concerns regarding these compounds. This is becoming increasingly important as consumers and regulators alike shift away from legacy antimicrobials to alternative chemicals which may have similar environmental and human health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Abbott
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; (T.A.); (G.K.-B.); (M.S.I.)
| | - Gokce Kor-Bicakci
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; (T.A.); (G.K.-B.); (M.S.I.)
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Bogazici University, Bebek, 34342 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mohammad S. Islam
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; (T.A.); (G.K.-B.); (M.S.I.)
| | - Cigdem Eskicioglu
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; (T.A.); (G.K.-B.); (M.S.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-250-807-8544 (C.E)
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Zheng G, Filippelli GM, Salamova A. Increased Indoor Exposure to Commonly Used Disinfectants during the COVID-19 Pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2020; 7:760-765. [PMID: 37566290 PMCID: PMC7482546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs or "quats") make up a class of chemicals used as disinfectants in cleaning and other consumer products. While disinfection is recommended for maintaining a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased use of QACs is concerning as exposure to these compounds has been associated with adverse effects on reproductive and respiratory systems. We have determined the occurrence of 19 QACs in residential dust collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. QACs were detected in >90% of the samples collected during the pandemic at concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 531 μg/g (n = 40; median of 58.9 μg/g). The total QAC concentrations in these samples were significantly higher than in samples collected before the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.05; n = 21; median of 36.3 μg/g). Higher QAC concentrations were found in households that generally disinfected more frequently (p < 0.05). Disinfecting products commonly used in these homes were analyzed, and the QAC profiles in dust and in products were similar, suggesting that these products can be a significant source of QACs. Our findings indicate that indoor exposure to QACs is widespread and has increased during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomao Zheng
- Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
| | - Gabriel M. Filippelli
- Center for Urban Health, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
- Environmental Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
| | - Amina Salamova
- Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
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14
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Abdelhamid AG, El-Kafrawy DS, Abdel-Khalek MM, Belal TS. Analytical investigation of ternary mixture of phenylephrine hydrochloride, dimetindene maleate and benzalkonium chloride using validated stability indicating HPLC-DAD method. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2020; 46:1278-1288. [DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2020.1788064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed G. Abdelhamid
- Department of Methodology, Pharco Pharmaceuticals Company, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Dina S. El-Kafrawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Magdi M. Abdel-Khalek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Tarek S. Belal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
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15
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Lee ST, Kim H, Kwon JH, Oh HB. Abnormal behaviors in the calibration curves of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry occurring in the quantitative analysis of surfactants near critical micelle concentrations. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2020; 56:e4599. [PMID: 32677769 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Surfactants, including quaternary ammonium compounds, are widely used in daily life as part of consumer chemical products and, more recently, in the shale oil industry. Because of their unique amphiphilic properties, surfactants form micelles at concentrations above a certain threshold known as the critical micelle concentration (CMC). A previous electrospray ionization mass spectrometry studies conducted by Siuzdak et al. and others presented indirect evidence regarding micelle formation. Herein, we have used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to explore how such micelle formations affect the quantitative analysis of surfactants. Results reveal abnormal behaviors in the calibration plots of a few selected anionic and cationic surfactants, such as sodium decyl sulfate (SDeS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), myristyltrimethylammonium bromide (MTAB), and benzyldimethyloctadecylammonium chloride (BAC-18). At concentrations close to the respective CMCs of these surfactants, the calibration plot for MTAB flattened, whereas the slopes of the calibration plots for SDeS, SDS, and BAC-18 suddenly changed. These abnormal behaviors can be related to micelle formation. From a practical perspective, the above observations suggest that in the quantitative analysis of surfactants, high micelle concentrations close to the CMC should be avoided to obtain accurate surfactant measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Tak Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeri Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Bin Oh
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
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16
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Seguin RP, Herron JM, Lopez V, Dempsey JL, Xu L. Metabolism of Benzalkonium Chlorides by Human Hepatic Cytochromes P450. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:2466-2478. [PMID: 31730751 PMCID: PMC7269367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Benzalkonium chlorides (BACs) are widely used as disinfectants in cleaning products, medical products, and the food processing industry. Despite a wide range of reported toxicities, limited studies have been conducted on the metabolism of these compounds in animal models and none in human-derived cells or tissues. In this work, we report on the metabolism of BACs in human liver microsomes (HLM) and by recombinant human hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. BAC metabolism in HLM was NADPH-dependent and displayed apparent half-lives that increased with BAC alkyl chain length (C10 < C12 < C14 < C16), suggesting enhanced metabolic stability of the more lipophilic, longer chain BACs. Metabolites of d7-benzyl labeled BAC substrates retained all deuteriums and there was no evidence of N-dealkylation. Tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation of BAC metabolites confirmed that oxidation occurs on the alkyl chain region. Major metabolites of C10-BAC were identified as ω-hydroxy-, (ω-1)-hydroxy-, (ω, ω-1)-diol-, (ω-1)-ketone-, and ω-carboxylic acid-C10-BAC by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry comparison with synthetic standards. In a screen of hepatic CYP isoforms, recombinant CYP2D6, CYP4F2, and CYP4F12 consumed substantial quantities of BAC substrates and produced the major microsomal metabolites. The use of potent pan-CYP4 inhibitor HET0016, the specific CYP2D6 inhibitor quinidine, or both confirmed major contributions of CYP4- and CYP2D6-mediated metabolism in the microsomal disappearance of BACs. Kinetic characterization of C10-BAC metabolite formation in HLM demonstrated robust Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters for ω-hydroxylation (Vmax = 380 pmol/min/mg, Km = 0.69 μM) and (ω-1)-hydroxylation (Vmax = 126 pmol/min/mg, Km = 0.13 μM) reactions. This work illustrates important roles for CYP4-mediated ω-hydroxylation and CYP2D6/CYP4-mediated (ω-1)-hydroxylation during the hepatic elimination of BACs, an environmental contaminant of emerging concern. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CYP-mediated oxidation of C10-BAC mitigates the potent inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis exhibited by this short-chain BAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P. Seguin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Josi M. Herron
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
98195
| | - Vanessa Lopez
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Joseph L. Dempsey
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
98195
| | - Libin Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
98195
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17
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Herron JM, Hines KM, Tomita H, Seguin RP, Cui JY, Xu L. Multi-omics investigation reveals benzalkonium chloride disinfectants alter sterol and lipid homeostasis in the mouse neonatal brain. Toxicol Sci 2019; 171:32-45. [PMID: 31199489 PMCID: PMC6736422 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipids are critical for neurodevelopment; therefore, disruption of lipid homeostasis by environmental chemicals is expected to have detrimental effects on this process. Previously, we demonstrated that the benzalkonium chlorides (BACs), a class of commonly used disinfectants, alter cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid homeostasis in neuronal cell cultures in a manner dependent on their alkyl chain length. However, the ability of BACs to reach the neonatal brain and alter sterol and lipid homeostasis during neurodevelopment in vivo has not been characterized. Therefore, the goal of this study was to use targeted and untargeted mass spectrometry and transcriptomics to investigate the effect of BACs on sterol and lipid homeostasis, and to predict the mechanism of toxicity of BACs on neurodevelopmental processes. After maternal dietary exposure to 120 mg BAC/kg body weight/day, we quantified BAC levels in the mouse neonatal brain, demonstrating for the first time that BACs can cross the blood-placental barrier and enter the developing brain. Transcriptomic analysis of neonatal brains using RNA sequencing revealed alterations in canonical pathways related to cholesterol biosynthesis, liver X receptor-retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) signaling, and glutamate receptor signaling. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed decreases in total sterol levels and downregulation of triglycerides and diglycerides, which were consistent with the upregulation of genes involved in sterol biosynthesis and uptake as well as inhibition of LXR signaling. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that BACs target sterol and lipid homeostasis and provide new insights for the possible mechanisms of action of BACs as developmental neurotoxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josi M Herron
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Kelly M Hines
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Hideaki Tomita
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Ryan P Seguin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Julia Yue Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Libin Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.,Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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