Enhanced Sensitive Determination of Triclosan and Methyl Triclosan in Human Urine by Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Coupled with GC–MS

Abstract

Introduction: Triclosan is a lipophilic antimicrobial agent primarily found in personal care products, including shampoos, toothpastes, and cosmetics. Both compounds are largely excreted in urine, making it the most accessible and reliable biological matrix for human exposure monitoring. This study aims to evaluate a novel extraction procedure dependent on the Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) technique to detect and quantify triclosan and methyl triclosan in urine samples from children and adolescents in Kerman. Materials and Methods: Triclosan and methyl triclosan levels in urine samples from 79 children and adolescents (6 to 18 years) in Kerman, Iran were measured by DLLME using the chromatography-mass -mass spectrometer (GC-MS) device. Results: The method yielded relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 4.6 and 3.9 for triclosan and methyl triclosan, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) were 1.9 μg/L for triclosan and 1.8 μg/L for methyl triclosan, while the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 6.3 μg/L and 6.0 μg/L, respectively. The average urinary concentrations were 4.62 ± 2.08 μg/L for triclosan and 1.91 ± 0.88 μg/L for methyl triclosan. Conclusion: Triclosan and methyl triclosan were detected in all samples studied, indicating that all subjects were exposed to these compounds. These findings underscore the urgent need to reduce exposure pathways through enhanced public awareness and stringent regulatory oversight. © (2025), (Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences). All rights reserved.