DEET occurrence in wastewaters: Seasonal, spatial and diurnal variability - mismatches between consumption data and environmental detection.

DEET occurrence in wastewaters: Seasonal, spatial and diurnal variability - mismatches between consumption data and environmental detection. Environ Int. 2019 Aug 14;132:105038 Authors: Marques Dos Santos M, Hoppe-Jones C, Snyder SA Abstract DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is one of the most frequently detected trace organic contaminants (TOrC) in wastewaters and is used primarily as an insect repellent. It was introduced for use in the general public in 1957. It is ubiquitously present in the environment and DEET concentrations are usually among the highest reported for TOrCs. Due to recent concerns about possible analytical interferences in detection methods being reported, this study focused on possible artifacts caused by seasonal, spatial, and diurnal variations in wastewater influent concentration of DEET. We also compared usage data to observed wastewater concentrations of seven wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in four different regions in the US monitored from November 2014 to November 2016. Consumption data obtained reveal patterns of consumption according to climatic regions and season. During the summer DEET usage accounts for almost 60% of all usage during a year, while during the winter months DEET usage accounts for <5%. Concerning spatial distribution, while per capita consumption of DEET in Florida is three times higher than the one observed in Arizona (44 g vs 14 g), DEET concentrations in wastewater tend t...
Source: Environment International - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Environ Int Source Type: research