Advances in analytical methods and occurrence of organic UV-filters in the environment - A review

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Sara Ramos (Author) FEUP; Vera Homem (Author) FEUP; Lúcia Santos (Author) FEUP; Arminda Alves (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Science of the Total Environment

Vol. 526

Pages: 278-311

ISSN: 0048-9697

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 88 Citations

Scopus - 154 Citations

Associated Projects

LEPAE/CEFT - RL2 - (Bio) Chemical Engineering: Multi-Scale Approaches for Sustainable Environment and Health

UI0511 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - UI 511 - 2013-2014

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-3J7

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.055

Abstract (EN): UV-filters are a group of compounds designed mainly to protect skin against UVA and UVB radiation, but they are also included in plastics, furniture, etc., to protect products from light damage. Their massive use in sunscreens for skin protection has been increasing due to the awareness of the chronic and acute effects of UV radiation. Some organic UV-filters have raised significant concerns in the past few years for their continuous usage, persistent input and potential threat to ecological environment and human health. UV-filters end up in waste water and because waste water treatment plants are not efficient in removing them, lipophilic compounds tend to sorb onto sludge and hydrophilics end up in river water, contaminating the existing biota. To better understand the risk associated with UV-filters in the environment a thorough review regarding their physicochemical properties, toxicity and environmental degradation, analytical methods and their occurrence was conducted. Higher UV-filter concentrations were found in rivers, reaching 0.3 mg/L for the most studied family, the benzophenone derivatives. Concentrations in the ng to mu g/L range were also detected for the p-aminobenzoic acid, cinnamate, crylene and benzoyl methane derivatives in lake and sea water. Although at lower levels (few ng/L), UV-filters were also found in tap and groundwater. Swimming pool water is also a sink for UV-filters and its chlorine by-products, at the mu g/L range, highlighting the benzophenone and benzimidazole derivatives. Soils and sediments are not frequently studied, but concentrations in the mu g/L range have already been found especially for the benzophenone and crylene derivatives. Aquatic biota is frequently studied and UV-filters are found in the ng/g-dwrange with higher values for fish and mussels. It has been concluded that more information regarding UV-filter degradation studies both in water and sediments is necessary and environmental occurrences should be monitored more frequently and deeply.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 34