Recent advances of mass spectrometry-based analytical methods for endocrine disrupting chemicals in human matrices

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), belonging to the category of emerging contaminants, are a class of highly heterogeneous persistent pollutants that can seriously interfere with the function of human endocrine system. Human matrices are extremely complex, and EDCs are usually present in trace concentrations and are often accompanied with analysis challenge due to their physical and chemical structure and properties. Therefore, sample preparation and analytical techniques are the key steps in the identification and quantitation of EDCs in human matrices. Mass spectrometry (MS) technique has powerful analytical performance, and is one of the preferred choices for EDCs. This review focused on 11 types of EDCs, including bisphenols, alkylphenols, phthalates, parabens, perfluorinated compounds, flame retardants, organic UV-filters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals, and some other concerned endocrine disruptors. The research progresses, advantages, disadvantages, and trends of sample preparation techniques and MS-based analytical methods for EDCs in human matrices were reviewed.