Personal care products (PCPs) are stable and are recognized as important chemicals of emerging concern in freshwater resources in the United States (US), including surface water. Although little is known about the bio acces-sibility or biodegradation of these chemicals in the environment. Their primary source of entry into water bodies includes activities such as bathing and showering as well as improper disposal of unused personal care products. We conducted a study to monitor the incidence of personal care products in two rivers (surface water) in Middle Tennessee. The objectives were to determine the incidence of personal care products in surface water of urban and rural sub-watersheds. Secondly, to identify the most frequently detected PCPs in the rivers monitored in the sub-watershed. Water samples were collected from the Cumberland River and Collins River. These rivers represented surface water drained by urban and rural watersheds respectively in Middle Tennessee. The surface water samples were analyzed for the presence of personal care products using GC-MS. During sampling, water quality parameters of interest were collected in-situ with a multi-parameter data-sonde. Low-level concentration of compounds containing PCPs was detected in the two rivers monitored. Personal care products detected included the active ingredients in perfumes (Docosane, Heptadecane, Methyl hexadecanoate, and Undecane), antiperspirants (Octadecanol, and Pentadecalactone), skin conditioners (Cyclotrisiloxane, Isohexyl palmitate, Methyl palmitate, and Cedrol), and shampoos (1-Hexadecanol, Hexadecanoic acid, and Nonanal).
Personal care products are chemicals marketed for direct use by consumers on the human body. While these chemicals exclude over the counter drugs, a majority of the chemicals have active ingredients or preservatives associated with cosmetics or fragrances. In general, some of these chemicals are directed at altering odor, appearance, touch or taste and with no significant biochemical activity. Almost no attention was given to personal care products in the past as far as effects from intended use on human health. Hence, substantial quantities have been used more than recommended. There has been a significant increase in demand for personal care products due to population growth and as well enhancing the quality of life, which in turn has increased the production of these chemicals [
Personal care products can be directly released into waters or volatilized into the air (e.g., musks). In addition, activities like washing hands, bathing, and showering also contribute towards this process [
While this study was based on a watershed scale approach, the rivers selected are located in urban and rural sub-watersheds. The objectives of the study are as delineated below:
1) To determine the incidence of personal care products in surface water of an urban and rural sub-watershed in Middle Tennessee.
2) To identify the most frequently detected personal care products in the surface water monitored.
It is hypothesized that: 1) the presence of PCPs in surface water contributes to the impairment of surface water quality; 2) the incidence of personal care products in the streams will fluctuate as a function of the seasons.
Davidson and Warren counties from Middle Tennessee were chosen for this study. These counties were selected because: 1) they represent urban and rural watersheds in Middle Tennessee; 2) the watersheds proximity to the main campus of the university. The watershed and associated rivers are: Cumberland River watershed (located in Davidson County), and Collins River watershed (located in Warren County).
Cumberland River (
The Collins River (
of Middle Tennessee. Collins River watershed covers 811 square miles and drains Warren, Grundy, Van Buran, Sequatchie, Coffee, and Cannon counties. Over half of the watershed is forested, and about one third is used for pasture, row crops, and nursery crops. Land use in Warren County is primarily agricultural, with a large portion being nursery crop production.
Sampling of PCPs and physicochemical water quality parameters was conducted for three seasons for two years: summer (2014), fall (2014), winter (2015), summer (2015), fall (2015) and winter (2016). Water sampling started during the summer of 2014. During each season, water samples were collected weekly for five consecutive weeks. Grab samples were collected during base flow (normal flow conditions) and in some instances after rainstorm events. A Teflon bailer was used to collect the water samples, as shown in
In-situ monitoring was conducted for water quality parameters of interest which included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Measurements were taken with Eureka Manta2TM sonde or data loggers (Eureka Water Probes, Austin TX). The data logger was interfaced with the applicable sensors, as shown in
about 3 minutes. Prior to deployment, the Manta data logger was calibrated according to instrument specifications. A minimum of two readings were taken in situ, and their average was used for further analysis.
Personal care products used by consumers are often washed down the drains, with a pathway to wastewater treatment plants. At the treatment plants they can bind to particles in sludge or discharged into local water where they eventually bind to sediments in the water.
The problems associated with sample analysis due to co-extracted compounds are collectively termed “matrix effects”. Hence in order to achieve a successful analysis, the amount of co-extracted natural organic matter was extremely minimized in the extraction protocol. Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) was used to separate compounds in the sample based on their polarities and solubilities in specific solvents used for extraction. The samples were fed into the GC-MS (HP 6890 series GC System; Hewlett-Packard) where the gas chromatography separated the organic compounds, and the mass spectrometer identified the separated compounds (
The results consist of a two-year (2014-2016) monitoring data of Personal Care Products (PCPs) in two rivers as well as relevant water quality parameters of interest. The results of the data presented reflect the findings in the two rivers (Cumberland River and Collins River) monitored. 1) Personal care products detected in Cumberland River during Summer 2014, Fall 2014, Winter 2015, Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Winter of 2016; 2) Personal care products detected in Collins River during Summer 2014, Fall 2014, Winter 2015, Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Winter of 2016. The results of pertinent water quality parameters determined in each river per season are also depicted herein. These water quality parameters are temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
Cumberland River data: Personal care products detected in Cumberland River during 2014-16 are presented in
# | Chemical Name | CAS Number | Summer | Fall | Winter | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2015 | 2016 | |||
1. | 1-Chlorodecane | 1002-69-3 | Φ | |||||
2. | 1-Hexadecanol | 36653-82-4 | # | Φ | ||||
3. | 2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol | 18479-57-7 | Φ | |||||
4. | 3-Hexanol | 623-37-0 | § | |||||
5. | 9-Octadecenoic acid | 111-62-6 | # | |||||
6. | Cyclotrisiloxane | 541-05-9 | X | Φ | ||||
7. | Disiloxane | 107-46-0 | # | ‡ | X | |||
8. | Docosane | 211-121-5 | # | ‡ | ||||
9. | Dodecane | 112-40-3 | # | |||||
10. | Heneicosane | 629-94-7 | # | ‡ | X | |||
11. | Heptadecane | 629-78-7 | # | β | ‡ | § | Φ | |
12. | Hexadecane | 544-76-3 | # | β | ‡ | § | Φ | |
13. | Hexyl butanoate | 2639-63-6 | § | |||||
14. | Isohexyl palmitate | 55194-91-7 | X | |||||
15. | Methyl heptanoate | 106-73-0 | Φ | |||||
16. | Methyl Palmitate | 112-39-0 | # | X | ||||
17. | Octadecan-1-ol | 112-92-5 | # | β | ||||
18. | Octadecane | 593-45-3 | # | ‡ | ||||
19. | Pentadecalactone | 106-02-5 | # | |||||
20. | Pentadecane | 629-62-9 | β | § | ||||
21. | Phenoxybenzene | 101-84-8 | β | |||||
22. | Tetradecane | 629-59-4 | β | ‡ | § | X | Φ | |
23. | Tridecane | 629-50-5 | § | |||||
24. | Undecane | 1120-21-4 | # | β | ‡ | § | X | Φ |
CAS Number = Chemical Abstract registry Number. # = PCPs detected-Summer 2014; β = PCPs detected-Summer 2015; ‡ = PCPs detected-Fall 2014; § = PCPs detected-Fall 2015; X = PCPs detected-Winter 2015; Φ = PCPs detected-Winter 2016.
perfuming agent were also detected. Another chemical that was found was Pentadecalactone a cream cleanser that is used for antiperspirant and deodorant. Pentadecane and Phenoxybenzene were also detected during the summer of 2014 and 2015. Both of these compounds are perfuming or fragrance agents. The PCPs that were detected in the fall of 2014 and 2015 included 3-Hexanol a perfuming or fragrance agent, and Disiloxane an emollient in skin conditioners. Additionally, the following fragrance agents were detected including Docosane, Heneicosane, Heptadecane, Hexadecane, Hexyl butanoate, Octadecane, Pentadecane, Tetradecane, and Tridecane. Similarly, in the winter of 2015 and 2016 the following PCPs were detected 1-Chlorodecane, an anti-microbial agent; 1-Hexadecanol, an opacifier in shampoos and emollient in skin creams, and 2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol a perfuming or fragrance agent. Cyclotrisiloxane, Disiloxane, and Isohexyl palmitate which are emollient for both skin and hair conditioner were also detected. The following perfuming agents Heneicosane, Heptadecane, Hexadecane, and Methyl heptanoate were detected. The compounds Methyl Palmitate an intensive skin care lotion and Tetradecane a fragrance agent were also found during the winter of 2015 and 2016. However, Undecane an emollient in skin conditioners was detected throughout the three seasons.
Collins River data: The personal care products (PCPs) detected in Collins River during the sampling years of 2014, 2015 and 2016 are presented in
# | Chemical Name | CAS Number | Summer | Fall | Winter | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2015 | 2016 | |||
1. | 1-Chlorodecane | 1002-69-3 | β | Φ | ||||
2. | 1-Hexadecanol | 36653-82-4 | X | Φ | ||||
3. | 2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol | 18479-57-7 | β | |||||
4. | 2-methylpropyl butanoate | 539-90-2 | # | |||||
5. | 4-methylpentyl hexadecanoate | 55194-91-7 | X | |||||
6. | Cedrol | 77-53-2 | # | |||||
7. | Cyclotrisiloxane | 541-05-9 | X | Φ | ||||
8. | Disiloxane | 107-46-0 | X | Φ | ||||
9. | Dodecan-1-ol | 112-53-8 | # | ‡ | § | |||
10. | Dodecanal | 112-54-9 | β | Φ | ||||
11. | Heptadecane | 629-78-7 | # | β | ‡ | § | X | Φ |
12. | Hexadecane | 544-76-3 | # | ‡ | § | Φ | ||
13. | Hexadecanoic acid | 57-10-3 | # | X | ||||
14. | Isohexyl palmitate | 55194-91-7 | # | X | ||||
15. | Methyl pentanoate | 624-24-8 | β | § | ||||
16. | Nonanal | 124-19-6 | # | Φ | ||||
17. | Octadecan-1-ol | 112-92-5 | # | β | ||||
18. | Octadecane | 593-45-3 | # | |||||
19. | Pentadecane | 629-62-9 | β | § | Φ | |||
20. | Tetradecane | 629-59-4 | ‡ | § | Φ | |||
21. | Tridecane | 629-50-5 | # | β | ||||
22. | Undecane | 1120-21-4 | β | ‡ | Φ |
CAS Number = Chemical Abstract registry Number; # = PCPs detected-Summer 2014; β = PCPs detected-Summer 2015; ‡ = PCPs detected-Fall 2014; § = PCPs detected-Fall 2015; X = PCPs detected-Winter 2015; Φ = PCPs detected-Winter 2016.
also identified in summer of 2015. Furthermore, Pentadecane and Tetradecane both fragrance agents were detected in fall of 2015 and winter of 2016. While the chemical Tridecane, a perfuming agent, was found in summer of 2014 and 2015, the chemical Undecane an emollient for skin conditioning was detected during fall of 2014, summer of 2015, and winter of 2016.
River Temperature: Temperature tends to be the most commonly analyzed water quality parameter because it affects both chemical and biological characteristics of the water. Moreover, every organism exhibits a preferred range or tolerance for temperature. Therefore temperature affects the watershed ecosystem functions. As shown in
Cumberland River and 7.4˚C to 19.3˚C for Collins River during the sampling period of 2014, 2015 and 2016. As a result Cumberland River located in an urban watershed showed the propensity to be warmer than Collins River which is in a rural watershed. This might be due to the shading effect associated with a rural sub-watershed where there are more trees and shrubs.
River pH: pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity over a range of 0 - 14 scale. Water pH is a valuable indicator of chemical water quality because pH can influence the availability of chemicals in water. Moreover, pH also affects solubility and biological availability of nutrients and heavy metals. As a result, it affects the mobility of many pollutants in a water body.
During the sampling period of 2014, 2015 and 2016, Cumberland River (
River Dissolved Oxygen: Dissolved oxygen is very important water quality parameter. It is highly dependent on temperature. The solubility of oxygen decreases with increase in temperature and consequently dissolved oxygen decreases. A minimum of 5 mg/L of dissolved oxygen is required to support aquatic life; however a reading around 7 mg/L is ideal [
The dissolved oxygen in both the rivers monitored was higher than 5 mg/L. The dissolved oxygen values for Cumberland River ranged from 6.3 mg/L to 12.8 mg/L. In Collins River the values ranged from 7.6 mg/L to 12.2 mg/L. There was a strong relationship between the dissolved oxygen of the rivers and the temperature of the rivers as indicated in
River Turbidity: United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) uses turbidity to measure water clarity and as an indicator for sediment load in streams. It is expressed by the amount of light that is scattered by material in the water when light passes through water [
ecosystem events such as soil erosion, water discharge during the urban runoff, eroding stream banks, a large number of bottom feeders, and excessive algal growth [
Turbidity in Collins River ranged from 1.4 to 20 NTUs (
Personal care products include a wide variety of chemicals that have different
mode of action and intended uses. Due to this complexity, it is challenging to understand the effect of these chemicals on non-target organisms in water ecosystems especially in surface water. Among personal care products, detergents and soaps are considered to be the most prevalent pollutants partly due to the presence of surfactant in their formulations. Based on our studies, the most detected class of personal care products in both Cumberland and Collins River was fragrances. As expected, it could be due to their diverse use in several categories of cosmetics formulations. Additionally, the availability and affordability of these chemicals could be another reason for their widespread applications. All in all, the personal care products detected in surface water during this study included emollients, anti-microbial agents, skin conditioning agents, surfactants from soaps, shampoos, detergents, hair sprays, antiperspirants and deodorants, and moisturizers. As expected, we found more perfuming or fragrance agents in surface water drained by urban watershed. On the other hand, more active ingredients associated with skin conditioners or lotions were detected in surface water of rural watershed. These findings can be explained by land use and lifestyle in both watersheds. While the scope of this study did not include delineating the actual concentrations of these chemicals in water, the detected concentrations were in the ng/L range. At this concentration range, the chemicals pose minimal to no physical damage to aquatic organisms. However, they may have the potential of causing behavioral issues. This has been corroborated by some studies [
This study was funded by USDA-Evans Allen program and the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Sayed M. Hassan and his team at Environmental Analysis Laboratory at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA for providing their assistance in the analysis of water samples.
Kaur, R., Akuley-Amenyenu, A., Deng, Q. and Dennis, S.O. (2018) Incidence of Personal Care Products in Surface Water of Middle Tennessee Urban and Rural Sub-Watersheds. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 10, 507-521. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2018.105027