Microcontaminants in Water: The Analytical Challenge of the 21st Century
Water quality is one of the most urgent issues of the 21st century. Beyond traditional pollutants, more and more microcontaminants are being detected: compounds present in minuscule amounts, at nanograms per liter, which can have significant effects on health and the environment.
These emerging contaminants include pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, personal care products, microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and many other synthetic compounds. Detecting and quantifying them accurately is one of the greatest current analytical challenges, both for public and private laboratories.
What are microcontaminants and why are they a concern?
These are compounds that, even in very small amounts, can accumulate in aquatic ecosystems and reach humans through drinking water or the food chain. Their detection requires increasingly sensitive analytical methodologies and top-quality reference products.
The most common are:
- Pharmaceuticals (antibiotics, painkillers, antidepressants…)
- Pesticides and herbicides used in agriculture
- Endocrine disruptors (such as bisphenol A or certain phthalates)
- PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances, persistent and toxic)
Advanced Analytical Techniques
The detection of microcontaminants requires cutting-edge instrumentation, but also reliable chemical standards and kits. The main methodologies include:
- Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- Gas chromatography (GC-MS)
- Immunochemical techniques (ELISA kits and biosensors)
- Solid-phase extraction (SPE) for sample preconcentration
At CymitQuimica, we offer a range of specially selected products for these applications: from certified standards for specific contaminants to ready-to-use [0] that allow rapid and reliable analysis even without complex instrumentation.
Conclusion
Microcontaminants are invisible to the naked eye but pose a huge challenge for water safety and public health. Modern analytical chemistry has the tools to detect and quantify them, but it requires reliable reference products, extreme sensitivity, and tailored solutions.