Using Online Sample Preparation with LC-MS/MS to Speed Up the Process of Analysing Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products

There is growing environmental concern regarding the health impact of trace levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water resources. Although the term PPCP was only recently coined, these bioactive chemicals have been in existence for decades, and their effect on the environment is now recognised as an important area of research. PPCPs include prescription and overthe- counter therapeutic drugs, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals such as vitamins. These substances can find their way into water through human activity, residues from pharmaceutical manufacturing and residues from hospitals. Some PPCPs are easily broken down and processed by the human body or can degrade quickly in the environment. Others, however, are not broken down so easily and enter domestic sewers. Until recently individuals’ contribution to the combined chemical load in the environment has gone largely unnoticed.