The analysis of halogenated flame retardants by GC-HRMS in environmental samples

J Chromatogr Sci. 2009 Jan;47(1):83-91. doi: 10.1093/chromsci/47.1.83.

Abstract

The analytical conditions required to determine polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and a variety of other halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) in environmental samples are reported. HRMS can be used to analyze brominated diphenylethers (BDEs), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153) as well as for a number of other emerging HFRs like allyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (ATE), 2-bromoallyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (BATE), 2,3-dibromopropyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (DPTE), octabromotrimethylphenylindane (OBIND), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), hexabromobenzene (HBB), 1,2-bis (2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), Dechlorane Plus (DP), hexachlorocyclopentadienyl-dibromocyclooctane (HCDBCO), tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH), 1,2,5,6-tetrabromocylcooctane (TBCO), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTeBB), and bis(2-ethly-1-hexyl)tetrabromophthalate (BEHTBP). The detection in environmental matrices and use of these non-BDE flame retardants is reviewed. A method for the analysis of PBDEs by isotope dilution HRMS and 16 other halogenated compounds primarily used as flame retardants is reported. A survey of selected environmental samples, which included Lake Ontario surface and tributary sediments, municipal wastewater effluent, sludge, and mussel tissues, detected PBDEs, DP, DBDPE, BTBPE, PBEB, BB-153, and HBB.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Flame Retardants / analysis*
  • Fresh Water / chemistry
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / analysis*
  • Isotopes / chemistry
  • Mytilus edulis / chemistry
  • Ontario
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / analysis*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sewage / chemistry

Substances

  • Flame Retardants
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Isotopes
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls
  • Sewage