Determination of the xenoestrogens 4-nonylphenol and bisphenol A by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection after derivatisation with dansyl chloride

An easily performable and highly selective method for the determination of the xenoestrogens bisphenol A (BPA) and technical 4-nonylphenol (mixture of isomers) from environmental samples was developed. The method consists of fluorigenic labelling of the substances by dansylation followed by HPLC separation of the derivatives. Specific wavelengths (λex=354 nm, λem=545 nm) for detection of the dansylated phenols were determined in order to reduce the signals of interfering compounds. The applicablility of the method for environmental samples was demonstrated by using sewage sludge spiked with BPA and 4-n-nonylphenol (as internal standard).