C. Basheer*, K. S. Tan**, H. K. Lee1*

*Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore
**Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore

There is increasing concern over changes in the health and fecundity of both humans and wildlife, which are associated with the disruption of hormone system by environmental chemicals. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are linked with reproductive abnormalities, declining population in wildlife, temporal reduction in sperm counts and quality, prostate cancer and some neurological effects.

Introduction of EDCs into the environment can result in their accumulation in the ecological food chain, sediment, etc. where they can induce toxic effects in humans and animals. Some of the EDCs are highly persistent in nature (i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and phthalate esters (PEs), and are also highly recalcitrant to chemical and biological degradation. They can be transported over long distances, particularly though the atmosphere to the polar regions. Human beings are continuously exposed to these EDCs via ingestion and inhalation, and many such compounds have been detected in a range of human tissues including serum, breast milk and adipose tissue.

In this study, a preliminary survey has been conducted to determine the current distribution pattern of these EDCs in the Singapore environment. These EDCs include the sixteen USEAP-listed PAHs, eight PCBs and twelve OCPs and eight PEs in various matrices (coastal water, sediments, rainwater and air samples). We also report the use of a novel liquid-phase microextraction technique developed in our laboratory for the extraction of these pollutants from water. This simple liquid-phase microextraction technique allows rapid extraction and recoveries better than or comparable with tedious conventional procedures.

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