Determination of Anticancer Drugs in the Aquatic Environment by SPE-LC-MS/MS-A Lebanese Case Study

Compared to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, Lebanon is considered the richest in water resources. However, due to inadequate water management, Lebanese water resources are under stress. Previous studies in Lebanon were mainly focused on heavy metals and microbiological analysis. Following the increase in cancer rates in Lebanon, the occurrence of six anticancer drugs estimated to be the most administered in Lebanon was assessed in samples collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), sewage outfalls, and surface water. Two SPE-LC-MS/MS methods were developed and validated for the detection of the selected anticancer drugs with LOD values ranging between 0.1 and 0.9 ng/L and LOQ values ranging between 0.3 and 2.8 ng/L. Three anticancer drugs were detected using this technique, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide, with an overall concentration range of 1 to 305 ng/L. The detection of these drugs in WWTP effluents, sewage outfalls, and rivers confirmed the weaknesses prevailing in the management of wastewater and the treatment technologies adopted by the few operational WWTPs in Lebanon.

Automated summary

Lebanon, despite being rich in water resources compared to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, is facing water stress due to inadequate management. Previous studies in Lebanon mainly focused on heavy metals and microbiological analysis. This study evaluated the occurrence of six anticancer drugs in various water samples and confirmed weaknesses in wastewater management and treatment technologies in Lebanon.