Biomonitoring of Environmental Phenols, Phthalate Metabolites, Triclosan, and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Humans with Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widespread organic compounds that interfere with hormone signaling and are linked to reproductive, developmental, cardiovascular, and cancer-related health effects. Key EDCs include bisphenol-A and its analogs, phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are commonly present in personal care products and plastics. Human exposure occurs via environmental exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, with persistent compounds such as PFAS accumulating in blood, while others are excreted in urine as free or conjugated metabolites. Accurate assessment of EDC exposure, particularly during pregnancy and early childhood, requires robust analytical methods. Liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS and GC-MS) are the most widely used techniques to date. LC-MS is favored for its sensitivity, specificity, and minimal sample preparation, whereas GC-MS provides adequate performance but often requires time-consuming derivatization. This review summarizes current LC-MS and GC-MS methodologies for multi-class EDC biomonitoring, emphasizing sample preparation, analyte coverage, and methodological strengths and limitations, providing a practical reference for human exposure studies using common biological matrices such as urine and blood.