A LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of 17 opioids in biosolids

The solid product of wastewater treatment plants is commonly used as a fertiliser to increase sustainability and waste reuse. It has undergone extensive treatment to remove high nutrient loads, pathogens and heavy metals but the extensive matrix of household chemicals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals remains, untargeted by most treatment technologies. These compounds, particularly pharmaceuticals, have been detected in biosolids with there being evidence of uptake by plants. With the current opioid pandemic in North America and overprescription, a simple method is required for the extraction of opioids from a solid medium as to ascertain the concentrations the environment is exposed to. A sonication-liquid-liquid extracted method was developed where biosolids were suspended in water and extracted using ethyl acetate before analysis on LC MS/MS. Sodium and potassium chloride were compared along with acidic and alkaline conditions. The optimised method utilised NaCl at a pH of 12 and was validated for 17 opioids, achieving linearity >0.987, 86–113% matrix effect and 0.1–10 μg/kg limits of detection. Upon analysis of biosolids destined for agriculture, 14 opioids were detected across all samples in a concentration range of 1–289 μg/kg. [Display omitted] •An efficient LLE method was validated for 17 opioids from biosolids.•Opioids in biosolids reached levels as high as 289 μg/kg.•Opioid treatment in wastewater catchments may impact the environment.