Development and validation of analytical method for analysis of 2,4-D, 2,4-DCP and 2,4,5-T for monitoring of public water supply

ABSTRACT The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is the second most consumed herbicide in Brazil and their effects in the contamination of the water resources and consequent sanitary risk for public supply are known. The 2,4-D and its main degradation product, 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), have the potential for endocrine disruption and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) is toxic and persistent in the environment. The absence of a methodology that simultaneously determines these compounds led to the development and validation of the solid phase extraction method, environmental samples concentrations, identification and quantification in HPLC-DAD for 2,4-D, 2,4-DCP and 2,4,5-T analysisin filtered water, produced at water treatment plants, and surface water. The extraction essay and samples concentration showed recovery from 85 to 119%, standard deviation between 0.9 and 11.4%. For identification and quantification essays, detection limits ranged between 0.17 and 0.51 µg.L-1 and the quantification limit was 1.0 µg.L-1. The results showed that it is possible to employ this method for the quantification of 2,4-D, 2,4-DCP and 2,4,5-T in environmental monitoring and in water supply systems taking account of Brazilian regulatory agencies