Contamination of drinking water via carbon dioxide enrichment devices. Analytical study by on-line SPE-GC/MS

Samples of drinking water, which had been enriched with carbon dioxide usin g five different special household devices, were analyzed for organic chemi cal contaminants by automatic on-line solid phase extraction-gas chromatogr aphy/mass spectrometry (On-line SPE-GC/MS). Detection of contaminants was d one directly by MS scan mode and after acetylation for target analysis of s ubstituted phenols. Contaminants, in many cases additives for plastics (plasticizers and antiox idants), were found in nearly all 33 samples. Hydrocarbons (alkanes) were d etected in 18 samples (54.4 %), 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol (BHT) in 29 samples (88%) and N-Butylbenzenesulfonamide (BBSA) in 20 samples (60.6%) . Findings of phthalates were positive in 9.1% (DIBP), 36% (DBP) and 51.5% (DEHP) of the samples. 4-tert-Octylphenol (OP) was found in 15 samples (45. 5%) and 4-Nonylphenol (NP) in 3 samples (9.1%). No other phenols were detec table. A toxicological evaluation of the uptake of identified contaminants by carb onated water did not suggest a relevant health risk for consumers.