Occurrence of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in drinking and source water in the São Paulo State region, Brazil

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 576; pp. 374 - 380
• Main Authors: Campestrini, Iolana, Jardim, Wilson F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.01.2017
• Subjects: Biomarker; Brazil; Cocaine; Cocaine - analogs & derivatives; Cocaine - analysis; Drinking Water - analysis; Emerging contaminant; Environmental Monitoring; Natural waters; Risk assessment; Rivers; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Brazil, Sao Paulo; Emerging contaminant; Biomarker; Cocaine; Risk assessment; Natural waters
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.089

The occurrence of illicit drugs in natural waters (surface, source and drinking water) is of interest due to the poor sanitation coverage and the high consumption of drugs of abuse in Brazil. In addition, little is known about the effects of these compounds on aquatic organisms and human health. This work investigates the occurrence of cocaine (COC) and its major metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BE), in surface and drinking water collected in rivers from a populated geographic area in Brazil. Surface water samples were collected in 22 locations from 16 different rivers and one dam from São Paulo State, whereas drinking water samples were collected in 5 locations. Samples were collected during the dry and wet season. Among the 34 surface water samples analyzed, BE was detected above the LOD in 94%, while COC in 85%. BE concentrations ranged from 10ngL−1 to 1019ngL−1 and COC concentrations from 6ngL−1 to 62ngL−1. In the drinking water samples analyzed, BE and COC were found in 100% of the samples analyzed. For BE, concentrations were found in the range from 10ngL−1 to 652ngL−1, and COC was quantified in concentrations between 6 and 22ngL−1. These concentrations are one of the highest found in urban surface waters and may pose some risk to aquatic species. However, no human health risk was identified using the Hazard Quotient. BE is proposed as a reliable indicator of sewage contamination in both source and drinking water. [Display omitted] •Cocaine was investigated in natural waters from important watersheds in Brazil.•High use of cocaine and poor sanitation affect the water quality in Brazil.•COC and BE levels found are one of the highest found in urban surface waters.•Cocaine levels detected in rivers in the São Paulo State may pose some risk to aquatic species.•The presence in tap water indicates human indirect exposure to multiple compounds.