Suspect and non-target screening of chemicals in clothing textiles by reversed-phase liquid chromatography/hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Abstract

The global manufacturing of clothing is usually composed of multistep processes, which include a large number of chemicals. However, there is generally no information regarding the chemical content remaining in the finished clothes. Clothes in close and prolonged skin contact may thus be a significant source of daily human exposure to hazardous compounds depending on their ability to migrate from the textiles and be absorbed by the skin. In the present study, twenty-four imported garments on the Swedish market were investigated with respect to their content of organic compounds, using a screening workflow. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization/high-resolution mass spectrometry was used for both suspect and non-target screening. The most frequently detected compound was benzothiazole followed by quinoline. Nitroanilines with suspected mutagenic and possible skin sensitization properties, and quinoline, a carcinogenic compound, were among the compounds occurring at the highest concentrations. In some garments, the level of quinoline was estimated to be close to or higher than 50,000 ng/g, the limit set by the REACH regulation. Other detected compounds were acridine, benzotriazoles, benzothiazoles, phthalates, nitrophenols, and organophosphates. Several of the identified compounds have logP and molecular weight values enabling skin uptake. This pilot study indicates which chemicals and compound classes should be prioritized for future quantitative surveys and control of the chemical content in clothing as well as research on skin transfer, skin absorption, and systemic exposure. The results also show that the current control and prevention from chemicals in imported garments on the Swedish market is insufficient. Graphical abstract

Disperse azo dyes, arylamines and halogenated dinitrobenzene compounds in synthetic garments on the Swedish market

“…We have recently published a suspect screening workflow with HPLC/HRMS for identification purposes including data mining. 29 In the present work, this was used for screening of more than 120 different DDs and some related dye components, suspected to be present in synthetic garments based on both published information regarding usage in industry 22 and several available reference standards (Table S5). The instrument used for this suspect screening was a UHPLC/electrospray (ESI)-Orbitrap HRMS instrument (Q Exactive HF; Thermo Fisher Scientific).…”

Biocatalytic Nitration of Phenols in Microemulsions at Elevated Temperatures Using Enzymes Stabilized on Magnetic Beads

“…Nitro‐phenolics especially have gained industrial interest as pharmaceutically important drugs or their precursors, including anti‐cancer agents, anticoagulants, calcium channel blockers, and drugs for cardiovascular disease. They also serve as intermediates for conversion to nitroso‐, amine‐ and hydroxylamine‐functionalized phenols [15–16,17] . However, conventional methods of nitrophenolic synthesis include numerous drawbacks such as the use of harsh oxidants like nitric acid and sulfuric acid that are responsible for the generation of a large amount of chemical waste.…”

“…They also serve as intermediates for conversion to nitroso-, amineand hydroxylamine-functionalized phenols. [15][16]17] However, conventional methods of nitrophenolic synthesis include numerous drawbacks such as the use of harsh oxidants like nitric acid and sulfuric acid that are responsible for the generation of a large amount of chemical waste. The chemical reactions may use expensive catalysts and feature poor regioselectivity and low reaction rates and result in dinitro-phenolics and other unwanted oxidized products.…”

Overlooked Transformation of Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Natural Waters: Role of Self-Photosensitization

“…(ii) Self-photosensitization may potentially yield a variety of toxic byproducts, exposure to which is a major risk factor in the etiology of many chronic diseases. Calisto et al as well as Chiron et al investigated the photodegradation of carbamazepine, and they separated photoproducts by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and a micellar electrokinetic technique. , One major photoproduct was identified to be acridine, a carcinogenic compound which increases sunlight skin sensitivity and skin cancer risk . This issue becomes even more pressing in the presence of halides as self-photosensitization in this scenario leads to the formation of halogenated byproducts which can cause liver damage and a significant decrease in nervous system activity …”

“…9,10 One major photoproduct was identified to be acridine, a carcinogenic compound which increases sunlight skin sensitivity and skin cancer risk. 11 This issue becomes even more pressing in the presence of halides as selfphotosensitization in this scenario leads to the formation of halogenated byproducts which can cause liver damage and a significant decrease in nervous system activity. 12 Although self-photosensitization of TrOCs containing a particular functional group has been documented, 6,7 there are still many fundamental and mechanistic questions that are largely unresolved.…”