A selective and sensitive gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitation of synthetic musks in human serum

Background: Synthetic musk compounds are widely used as fragrances in many consumer products; however, information co on human exposure and health effects is limited. Also, analytical methods for their quantification in biological matrices are limited. Objective: In this study, an integrated method was developed and validated for the analysis of selected synthetic musk compounds in human serum. Method: The method is based on liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), sample clean-up by solid-phase extraction (SPE), and separation and detection by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Results: The method demonstrated good recoveries (86-105%) and high sensitivity, with low method detection limits (MDLs) ranging from 0.04 to 0.17 mu g/L. The method was applied to the analysis of 10 synthetic musk compounds in 40 serum samples collected from Canadian women aged 20-44 years (20 individual samples collected in 2014 and 20 pooled samples collected in 2006). The most commonly detected compound was Galaxolide (HHCB), with median concentrations of 0.59 mu g/L in samples collected in 2006, and 0.34 mu g/L for samples collected in 2014. Musk ketone (MK) was not detected in any of the samples collected in 2006, but was detected in 60% of the samples collected in 2014 with a median concentration of 0.29 mu g/L. Tonalide (AHTN) was detected in only one sample above its MDL (0.12 mu g/L). Conclusions: This is the first study in Canada to report levels of synthetic musks in human. The data generated from this 3 study has been used in risk screening assessment by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada.