Table 2.
List of 101 chemicals found in leachate samples from 22 landfills in the US.
| Chemicala | CASRNb | RL range (ng/L) | Frequency (T) | Maximum (ng/L) | Detection medianc (ng/L) | Primary chemical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diazepam (1) | 439-14-5 | 2-44 | 5 | E 42. 1 | E 42. 1 | Antianxiety, sleep aid, anticonvulsant |
| Diltiazem (1) | 42399-41-7 | 10-204 | 5 | 12.0 | 12.0 | Calcium channel blocker |
| Erythromycin (1) | 114-07-8 | 53-1060 | 5 | 204 | 204 | Antibiotic |
| Fluconazole (1) | 86386-73-4 | 71-1420 | 50 | 1520 | 180 | Triazole antifungal |
| Glipizide (1) | 29094-61-9 | 35-692 | 5 | 155 | 155 | Antidiabetic |
| Glyburide (1) | 10238-21-8 | 4-79 | 9 | 25.8 | 24.4 | Antidiabetic |
| Loperamide (1) | 53179-11-6 | 11-230 | 5 | 47.4 | 47.4 | Antidiarrheal |
| Lorzepam (1) | 846-49-1 | 116-1160 | 5 | E 4820 | E 4820 | Antianxiety |
| Meprobamate (1) | 57-53-4 | 86-1720 | 36 | E 1530 | 467 | Carbamate derivative, anxiolytic |
| Metaxalone (1) | 1665-48-1 | 15-312 | 41 | 1710 | 303 | Muscle relaxant |
| Metformin (1) | 657-24-9 | 13-262 | 41 | 838 | 395 | Antidiabetic |
| Methadone (1) | 76-99-3 | 7-152 | 9 | 1932 | 981 | Synthetic opioid, analgesic |
| Methocarbamol (1) | 532-03-6 | 9-174 | 36 | 1210 | 144 | Muscle relaxant |
| Methotrexate (1) | 59-05-2 | 52-1050 | 9 | 315 | 254 | Antifolate |
| Metoprolol (1) | 51384-51-1 | 28-550 | 14 | E 461 | E 423 | Antihypertensive |
| Nadolol (1) | 42200-33-9 | 81-1620 | 9 | E 319 | 238 | Beta blocker |
| Nizatidine (1) | 76963-41-2 | 19-380 | 5 | 25.3 | 25.3 | Acid inhibitor |
| Oseltamivir (1) | 196618-13-0 | 15-292 | 9 | E 147 | E 83.3 | Antiviral |
| Paroxetine (1) | 61869-08-7 | 21-412 | 5 | E 73.3 | E 73.3 | Antidepressant |
| Penciclovir (1) | 39809-25-1 | 40-400 | 5 | E 2140 | E 2140 | Antiviral |
| Pentoxifylline (1) | 6493-05-6 | 9-187 | 23 | 2841 | 856 | Circulation enhancer (peripheral blood flow) |
| Phendimetrazine (1) | 634-03-7 | 31-622 | 5 | E 1110 | E1110 | Appetite suppressant |
| Phenytoin (1) | 57-41-0 | 188-3760 | 32 | 2410 | 274 | Antiepileptic |
| Quinine (1) | 130-95-0 | 79-1600 | 5 | E 284 | E 284 | Antimalarial, flavorant, mild antipyretic and analgesic |
| Sulfadimethoxine (1) | 122-11-2 | 65-1310 | 18 | E 401 | 183 | Antibiotic |
| Sulfamethizole (1) | 144-82-1 | 104-2080 | 5 | 861 | 861 | Antibiotic |
| Thiabendazole (1) | 148-79-8 | 4-82 | 55 | 1770 | 211 | Parasiticide, fungicide |
| Tramadol (1) | 27203-92-5 | 15-302 | 55 | 1490 | 279 | Opiate |
| Triamterene (1) | 396-01-0 | 5-105 | 18 | 14.9 | 12.7 | Diuretic |
| Valacyclovir (1) | 124832-26-4 | 163-3260 | 5 | E 765 | E 765 | Antiviral |
| Venlafaxine (1) | 93413-69-5 | 5-90 | 5 | 168 | 168 | Antidepressant |
| Warfarin (1) | 81-81-2 | 6-121 | 36 | E 70 | 23.0 | Anticoagulant, rodenticide |
| Steroid hormones | ||||||
| cis-Androsterone (2) | 53-41-8 | 0.8 | 23 | 125 | 72.3 | Natural androgen |
| Equilenin (2) | 517-09-0 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 18 | Natural equine estrogen, hormone replacement therapy |
| Estriol (2) | 50-27-1 | 2 | 9 | 6.50 | 5.01 | Natural estrogen |
| Estrone (2) | 53-16-7 | 0.8 | 23 | 145 | 18.1 | Estradiol degradate |
| Norethindrone (2) | 68-22-4 | 0.8 | 5 | 30. 1 | 30.1 | Synthetic progestin |
| Household chemicals | ||||||
| Acetophenone (3) | 98-86-2 | 4000 | 23 | E 63800 | 15800 | Fragrance and/or flavorant |
| Benzophenone (3) | 119-61-9 | 400-1600 | 32 | E 7310 | 2690 | Fixative for perfumes and soaps |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) (2) | 80-05-7 | 100 | 77 | E 17200000 | E 45400 | Component of plastics and thermal paper |
| Camphor (3) | 72-22-2 | 400 | 55 | E 342000 | 62400 | Fragrance and/or flavorant |
| d-Limonene (3) | 5989-27-5 | 1600 | 5 | E 3400 | E 3400 | Pesticide, fragrance in aerosols |
| Galaxolide (3) | 1222-05-5 | 200 | 14 | E 928 | 302 | Polycyclic musk fragrance |
| Isoquinoline (3) | 119-65-3 | 400 | 5 | 801 | 801 | Fragrance and/or flavorant |
| Menthol (3) | 1490-04-6 | 3200 | 18 | 82900 | 27800 | Flavorant |
| N, N-diethyltoluamide (DEET) (3) | 134-62-3 | 400 | 68 | E 431000 | 45500 | Insect repellent |
| Skatol (3) | 83-34-1 | 400 | 23 | 31900 | 8200 | Fragrance |
| Tri(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (3) | 115-96-8 | 6400 | 27 | 9100 | 8100 | Plasticizer, flame retardant |
| Tri(dichlorisopropyl)phosphate (3) | 13674-87-8 | 1600 | 9 | E 2390 | E 2070 | Flame retardant |
| Tributylphosphate (3) | 126-73-8 | 640 | 45 | 7770 | 2000 | Antifoaming agent, flame retardant |
| Industrial chemicals | ||||||
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (3) | 106-46-7 | 400 | 32 | 2830 | E 797 | Moth repellent, fumigant, deodorant |
| 1-Methylnaphthalene (3) | 90-12-0 | 400 | 18 | 2260 | 983 | Component of petroleum |
| 2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene (3) | 581-42-0 | 400 | 5 | 421 | 421 | Component of diesel/kerosene |
| 2-Methylnaphthalene (3) | 91-57-6 | 400 | 9 | 2840 | 1900 | Component of petroleum |
| 3,4,Dichlorophenyl isocyanate (3) | 102-36-3 | 200 | 5 | E 1010 | E 1010 | Industrial chemical intermediate |
| 4-Cumylphenol (3) | 599-64-4 | 400 | 18 | E 12800 | E 10000 | Plasticizer, flame retardant |
| 4-Nonylphenol (3) | 84852-15-3 | 200 | 32 | E 83200 | E 18500 | Nonionic detergent degradate |
| 4-Nonylphenol diethoxylate (3) | 26027-38-2 | 2000 | 18 | E 146000 | 24500 | Nonionic detergent degradate |
| 4-Tert-octylphenol (3) | 140-66-9 | 400 | 55 | E 6870 | E 1860 | Nonionic detergent degradate |
| 4-Tert-octylphenol diethoxylate (3) | 2315-61-9 | 2000 | 5 | 47000 | 47000 | Nonionic detergent degradate |
| 4-Tert-octylphenol monoethoxylate (3) | 2315-67-5 | 2000 | 5 | 15300 | 15300 | Nonionic detergent degradate |
| 5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole (3) | 136-85-6 | 3200 | 18 | E 6480 | E 5820 | Antioxidant in antifreeze and deicers |
| Anthracene (3) | 120-12-7 | 200 | 27 | 1570 | 631 | Component of tar, diesel, or crude oil |
| Anthraquinone (3) | 84-65-1 | 400 | 14 | E 691 | E 532 | Dye/textiles, seed treatment, bird repellent |
| Diethyl phthalate (3) | 84-66-2 | 2000 | 18 | E 14100 | 6500 | Plasticizer for polymers and resins |
| Fluoranthene (3) | 206-44-0 | 200 | 5 | E 430 | E 430 | Component of coal tar and asphalt |
| Isopropylbenzene (3) | 98-82-8 | 400 | 18 | 1110 | 964 | Fuels and paint thinner |
| Methyl-1H-benzotriazole (1) | 29385-43-1 | 141-2820 | 59 | E 9660 | 1310 | Corrosion inhibitor |
| Naphthalene (3) | 91-20-3 | 200 | 55 | 17300 | 598 | Fumigant, component of gasoline |
| Para-cresol (3) | 106-44-5 | 800 | 32 | 1580000 | 117000 | Wood preservative |
| Phenanthrene (3) | 85-01-8 | 200 | 23 | 3600 | 358 | Explosives, component of tar and diesel fuel |
| Phenol (3) | 108-95-2 | 1600 | 27 | E 1190000 | E 98500 | Disinfectant |
| Nonprescription pharmaceuticals and degradates | ||||||
| Acetaminophen (1) | 103-90-2 | 7-143 | 41 | 42600 | 5300 | Analgesic, antipyretic |
| Caffeine (1) | 58-08-2 | 900-1810 | 32 | 3360 | 1340 | Stimulant |
| Cimetidine (1) | 51481-61-9 | 27-556 | 18 | 1085 | 211 | Histamine H2-receptor antagonist |
| Cotinine (1) | 486-56-6 | 18-127 | 86 | E 30400 | E 597 | Nicotine degradate |
| Dextromethorphan (1) | 125-71-3 | 8-64 | 18 | 204 | 70.3 | Cough suppressant |
| Diphenhydramine (1) | 147-24-0 | 6-116 | 9 | 24 | 15.7 | Antihistamine |
| Fexofenadine (1) | 83799-24-0 | 20-398 | 14 | E 252 | E 237 | Antihistamine, terfenadine degradate |
| Lidocaine (1) | 137-58-6 | 15-304 | 91 | E 47900 | 5380 | Local anesthetic |
| Loratadine (1) | 79794-75-5 | 7-139 | 5 | E 202 | E 202 | Antihistamine |
| Nicotine (1) | 54-11-5 | 1160 | 23 | E 43800 | E 6080 | Alkaloid stimulant |
| Piperonyl butoxide (1) | 51-03-6 | 3-161 | 23 | E 238 | 35.7 | Pesticide synergist |
| Pseudoephedrine (1) | 90-82-4 | 11-222 | 45 | E 6200 | 2150 | Appetite suppressant, decongestant, stimulant |
| Pesticides and degradates | ||||||
| Atrazine (1) | 1912-24-9 | 19-388 | 9 | 507 | 466 | Herbicide |
| Carbaryl (3) | 63-25-2 | 600 | 5 | E 2530 | E 2530 | Insecticide |
| Plant and animal sterols | ||||||
| 3-Beta-coprostanol (3) | 360-68-9 | 200 | 59 | 176000 | 7980 | Fecal indicator |
| Beta-sitosterol (3) | 83-46-5 | 24000 | 5 | 190000 | 190000 | Phytoestrogen |
| Cholesterol (3) | 57-88-5 | 200 | 73 | 32300 | 7300 | Plant and animal sterol |
| Stigmastanol (3) | 19466-47-8 | 17000 | 9 | 164000 | 143000 | Phytosterol |
| Prescription pharmaceuticals and degradates | ||||||
| 1-Hydroxy-amitriptyline (1) | 64520-05-4 | 8-166 | 5 | 415 | 415 | Amitriptyline degradate |
| Abacavir (1) | 136470-78-5 | 22-444 | 5 | 38.1 | 38.1 | Antiviral, reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
| Acyclovir (1) | 59277-8403 | 22-444 | 27 | 2720 | 582 | Antiviral, reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
| Albuterol (1) | 18559-94-9 | 6-121 | 18 | 377 | 268 | Bronchodilator |
| Amphetamine (1) | 300-62-9 | 8-163 | 45 | 11900 | 614 | Psychostimulant |
| Antipyrine (1) | 60-80-0 | 116-2320 | 23 | E 1060 | 189 | Analgesic, antipyretic |
| Atenolol (1) | 29122-68-7 | 13-266 | 32 | 1042 | E 178 | Beta blocker |
| Bupropion (1) | 34841-39-9 | 17-356 | 5 | 38.8 | 38.8 | Antidepressant |
| Carbamazepine (1) | 298-46-4 | 4-83 | 77 | E 810 | 165 | Anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer |
| Carisoprodol (1) | 78-44-4 | 13-250 | 82 | E 3060 | 322 | Muscle relaxant |
| Desvenlafaxine (1) | 93413-62-8 | 7-150 | 7 | E 656 | 225 | Venlafaxine degradant |
aValue in parentheses indicates method: (1) = liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) pharmaceuticals; (2) = gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) steroid hormones; (3) = gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) household/industrial chemicals. bChemical abstracting service report number. cMedian of detected concentrations. CEC = contaminant of emerging concern; E = flagged due to concentration being less than the RL or greater than the highest point on calibration curve; RL = reporting limit; Maximum = maximum concentration. Note. Reprinted from Landfill Leachate as a Mirror of Today's Disposable Society: Pharmaceuticals and Other Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Final Leachate from Landfills in the Conterminous United States, by Masoner, J.R., Koplin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Cozzarelli, I.M., and Gray, J.L. (2015b). Retrieved from https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/etc.3219 copyright 2015 by Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.