Quantification of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by direct injection of sample extract into the comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatograph/high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer

J Chromatogr A. 2008 Jan 18;1178(1-2):187-98. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2007.11.067. Epub 2007 Nov 28.

Abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in crude extracts of fly ash and flue gas from municipal waste incinerators were quantified using a comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatograph (GC x GC) coupled to a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (HR-TOFMS). For identification and quantification, we developed our own program to prepare 3D chromatograms of selected mass numbers from the data of the GC x GC/HR-TOFMS. Isolation of all congeners with a TCDD toxic equivalency factor from the other isomers by only one injection was confirmed. The instrumental detection limit of TCDD on the GC x GC/HR-TOFMS was 0.9 pg by the relative calibration method. Quantification of these substances in the crude extracts was achieved by direct injection to the GC x GC/HR-TOFMS. The results agree with the values obtained using a generic gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) system. It was confirmed that measurement by high-resolution TOFMS and GC x GC effectively reduces interference from other chemicals.

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / analysis*
  • Benzofurans / isolation & purification
  • Carbon / analysis
  • Coal Ash
  • Dioxins / analysis*
  • Dioxins / isolation & purification
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Particulate Matter / analysis

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Coal Ash
  • Dioxins
  • Particulate Matter
  • Carbon
  • dibenzofuran
  • dibenzo(1,4)dioxin