Tim Boogaerts1, Adrian Covaci1, Juliet Kinyua1, Hugo Neels2, Alexander L N van Nuijs3. 1. Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium. 2. Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Toxicology, ZNA Stuivenberg, Lange Beeldekensstraat 267, 2060, Antwerp, Belgium. 3. Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: alexander.vannuijs@uantwerpen.be.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In recent years, scientific evidence has emerged that wastewater-based epidemiology can deliver complementary information concerning the use of different substances of abuse. In this study, the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology in monitoring spatial and temporal trends in alcohol consumption in different populations in Belgium has been examined. METHODS: Concentrations of ethyl sulphate, a minor Phase-II metabolite of ethanol, in 163 influent wastewater samples from eight wastewater treatment plants in Belgium in the period 2013-2015 were measured with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and used to estimate alcohol consumption. RESULTS: The highest levels of alcohol consumption were detected in the metropoles Antwerp and Brussels compared to smaller villages. Annual variations were detected, with a higher alcohol consumption measured in 2013 compared with 2014. The weekly pattern showed a clear week and weekend difference in alcohol use, with intermediate levels on Monday and Friday. The results were extrapolated and a use of 5.6L pure alcohol per year per inhabitant aged 15+ has been estimated in Belgium. The comparison with available information on drinking habits of the Belgian population further demonstrated the usefulness of the wastewater-based epidemiology approach. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest wastewater-based epidemiology study monitoring alcohol consumption to date, demonstrating that objective and quick information on spatio-temporal trends in alcohol consumption on a local and (inter)national scale can be obtained.
BACKGROUND: In recent years, scientific evidence has emerged that wastewater-based epidemiology can deliver complementary information concerning the use of different substances of abuse. In this study, the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology in monitoring spatial and temporal trends in alcohol consumption in different populations in Belgium has been examined. METHODS: Concentrations of ethyl sulphate, a minor Phase-II metabolite of ethanol, in 163 influent wastewater samples from eight wastewater treatment plants in Belgium in the period 2013-2015 were measured with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and used to estimate alcohol consumption. RESULTS: The highest levels of alcohol consumption were detected in the metropoles Antwerp and Brussels compared to smaller villages. Annual variations were detected, with a higher alcohol consumption measured in 2013 compared with 2014. The weekly pattern showed a clear week and weekend difference in alcohol use, with intermediate levels on Monday and Friday. The results were extrapolated and a use of 5.6L pure alcohol per year per inhabitant aged 15+ has been estimated in Belgium. The comparison with available information on drinking habits of the Belgian population further demonstrated the usefulness of the wastewater-based epidemiology approach. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest wastewater-based epidemiology study monitoring alcohol consumption to date, demonstrating that objective and quick information on spatio-temporal trends in alcohol consumption on a local and (inter)national scale can be obtained.
Authors: Jose Antonio Baz-Lomba; Stefania Salvatore; Emma Gracia-Lor; Richard Bade; Sara Castiglioni; Erika Castrignanò; Ana Causanilles; Felix Hernandez; Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern; Juliet Kinyua; Ann-Kathrin McCall; Alexander van Nuijs; Christoph Ort; Benedek G Plósz; Pedram Ramin; Malcolm Reid; Nikolaos I Rousis; Yeonsuk Ryu; Pim de Voogt; Jorgen Bramness; Kevin Thomas Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-10-01 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Tim Boogaerts; Maarten Quireyns; Maarten De Prins; Bram Pussig; Hans De Loof; Catharina Matheï; Bert Aertgeerts; Virginie Van Coppenolle; Erik Fransen; Adrian Covaci; Alexander L N van Nuijs Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2022-04-04
Authors: Félix Hernández; Sara Castiglioni; Adrian Covaci; Pim de Voogt; Erik Emke; Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern; Christoph Ort; Malcolm Reid; Juan V Sancho; Kevin V Thomas; Alexander L N van Nuijs; Ettore Zuccato; Lubertus Bijlsma Journal: Mass Spectrom Rev Date: 2016-10-17 Impact factor: 10.946