Instrumental methods and challenges in quantifying polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental extracts: a review

Increased interest in the fate, transport and toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) over the past few years has led to a variety of studies reporting different methods of analysis for these persistent organic pollutants. Because PBDEs encompass a range of vapor pressures, molecular weights and degrees of bromine substitution, various analytical methods can lead to discrimination of some PBDE congeners. Recent improvements in injection techniques and mass spectrometer ionization methods have led to a variety of options to determine PBDEs in environmental samples. The purpose of this paper is therefore to review the available literature describing the advantages and disadvantages in choosing an injection technique, gas chromatography column and detector. Additional discussion is given to the challenges in measuring PBDEs, including potential chromatographic interferences and the lack of commercial standards for higher brominated congeners, which provides difficulties in examining degradation and debromination of BDE congeners, particularly for BDE 209.     

“One-shot” analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their hydroxylated and methoxylated analogs in human breast milk and serum using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxylated (OH-BDE) and methoxylated (MeO-BDE) analogs in humans is an area of high interest to scientists and the public due to their neurotoxic and endocrine disrupting effects. Consequently, there is a rise in the investigation of the occurrence of these three classes of compounds together in environmental matrices and in humans in order to understand their bioaccumulation patterns. Analysis of PBDEs, OH-BDEs, and MeO-BDEs using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) can be accomplished simultaneously, but detection limits for PBDEs and MeO-BDEs in LC-MS is insufficient for trace level quantification. Therefore, fractionation steps of the phenolic (OH-BDEs) and neutral (PBDEs and MeO-BDEs) compounds during sample preparation are typically performed so that different analytical techniques can be used to achieve the needed sensitivities. However, this approach involves multiple injections, ultimately increasing analysis time. In this study, an analytical method was developed for a “one-shot” analysis of 12 PBDEs, 12 OH-BDEs, and 13 MeO-BDEs using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). This overall method includes simultaneous extraction of all analytes via pressurized liquid extraction followed by lipid removal steps to reduce matrix interferences. The OH-BDEs were derivatized using N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (TBDMS-MTFA), producing OH-TBDMS derivatives that can be analyzed together with PBDEs and MeO-BDEs by GC-MS/MS in “one shot” within a 25-min run time. The overall recoveries were generally higher than 65%, and the limits of detection ranged from 2 to 14 pg in both breast milk and serum matrices. The applicability of the method was successfully validated on four paired human breast milk and serum samples. The mean concentrations of total PBDEs, OH-BDEs, and MeO-BDEs in breast milk were 59, 2.2, and 0.57 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively. In serum, the mean total concentrations were 79, 38, and 0.96 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively, exhibiting different distribution profiles from the levels detected in breast milk. This “one-shot” GC-MS/MS method will prove useful and cost-effective in large-scale studies needed to further understand the partitioning behavior, and ultimately the adverse health effects, of these important classes of brominated flame retardants in humans.     

动物肝脏中九种多溴联苯醚残留量的GC—NCI／MS分析

建立了动物肝脏中9种PBDEs残留量的气相色谱-负化学离子源/质谱(GC-NCI/MS)的分析方法。动物肝脏样品经V(正己烷)∶V(丙酮)=1∶1超声辅助提取,中性与酸性硅胶层析柱净化和V(正已烷)∶V(CH2Cl2)=1∶1洗脱和浓缩后,以PCB-103为内标物,采用GC-NCI/MS的选择离子监测方式(SIM)对其中的9种PBDEs残留量进行了定性与定量分析。当动物肝脏空白样品的加标质量浓度为5.0、20.0μg/kg(PBDE-183为6.0、24.0μg/kg)时,9种PBDEs的平均加标回收率为75.1%~88.2%,相对标准偏差为3.3%~7.9%,方法检出限均小于0.07μg/kg;线性范围除PBDE-183为0.12~600.0μg/kg外,其余8种PBDEs为0.1~500.0μg/kg,相关系数都大于0.9993。所建立的分析方法已用于5种动物肝脏的8个样品中9种PBDEs残留量的分析。     

Investigation of reagent gases for the positive chemical ionization of select polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) fall into the class of compounds known as brominated flame retardants and their incorporation in a multitude of products is responsible for saving numerous lives. However, toxicology studies have alerted researchers to the potential adverse health effects that may develop as a result of prolonged or extreme exposure to these compounds. Frequent disposal and subsequent leaching has focused concern on environmental concentrations and current reports cite increasing levels. Method development continues in support of this research and the present work examines the feasibility of utilizing gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry operating in positive ion chemical ionization mode. In the evaluation of reagents for chemical ionization (methane, methanol and acetonitrile), comparative results of all three reagents demonstrated more difficult protonation as the number of bromine atoms increased. Methane, possessing the lowest proton affinity, provided the highest response for the analytes. Further, when methane chemical ionization was compared to electron impact ionization, the tetra-congener showed approximately 8× greater sensitivity and the penta- and hexa-congeners demonstrated approximately 2× greater. CI parameters, such as ionization and reaction times, were optimized to provide the highest analyte response and this was followed by the investigation of the employment of MSⁿ. In the this mode, optimal excitation amplitude delivered sufficient fragmentation while maintaining maximum signal, yielding final instrument detection limits in the sub µg L^{− 1} range.     

Optimization of congener-specific analysis of 40 polybrominated diphenyl ethers by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The analysis by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of 40 different congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) containing 1-7 bromine atoms is described. Two different MS approaches were used, negative chemical ionization (NCI-MS) and electron ionization (EI-MS). Operating parameters such as electron energy and source temperature were optimized in order to obtain the maximum sensitivity in the EI-MS study. For NCI-MS analyses, the effects of the moderating gas (methane or ammonia), source temperature and system pressure were studied. The quality parameters of the two approaches tested were compared. NCI-MS gave detection limits between 30 fg and 1.72 pg, whereas EI-MS gave detection limits between 0.53 and 32.09 pg. The main advantage of EI-MS is that it provides better structural information. Moreover, the use of EI-MS allowed the use of an isotope dilution method for quantification, making the analysis more reliable at trace levels.     

Analytical performance of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer compared to a high resolution mass spectrometer for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants used globally in many consumer products and industrial applications. Traditionally, gas chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HR-MS) is the method of choice for analysis of PBDEs in environmental samples because it offers high sensitivity and selectivity, resulting in less interferences. However, the specificity offered by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC–QQQ-MS/MS), operated in selected reaction monitoring mode, provides a more affordable alternative to GC–HR-MS for the analysis of PBDEs in complex environmental samples. In this study, an analytical method was developed for the analysis of 41 PBDE congeners in fish using GC–QQQ-MS/MS. Results from the analysis of three fish species [lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)] using GC–QQQ-MS/MS were compared with those obtained by GC–HR-MS. These species were selected because they represent varying levels of lipid-rich matrix and contaminant loads. Instrumental limits of detection for the GC–QQQ-MS/MS ranged from 0.04 pg to 41 pg, whereas those for the GC–HR-MS ranged from 5 pg to 85 pg. The PBDE values obtained from these two methods were highly correlated, R² values >0.7, for all three fish species, supporting the suitability of GC–QQQ-MS/MS for analysis of PBDEs in fish with varying fat content.     

Methods for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental samples - review

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants. They are used as flame retardants in plastics, paints, varnishes and textile materials. PBDEs pose great risk to the environment because of their high persistence and ability to get into the environment easily due to the lack of chemical bonds with the matrix of materials, to which they are added. Global research studies confirmed the occurrence of those compounds in the majority of elements of water and land environment. Analysis of PBDEs in environmental samples is one of the specific analytical methods of criteria that comprise low detection limits and high selectivity. The analysis of PBDEs in environmental samples is one of the specific analytical methods, in which the main criteria are low detection limits and high selectivity. In this article, a literature review of methods for environmental sample preparation and analysis of the PBDE content was presented. The article discusses the potential of modern extraction techniques such as: solid-phase microextraction, single-drop microextraction, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, microwave-assisted extraction, cloud point extraction, hollow fibre-liquid phase microextraction and others for the separation of PBDEs from environmental samples with a complex matrix. Among the methods for qualitative and quantitative determination of PBDEs, a particular focus was put on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with various injection techniques and different types of sample ionisation.     

微波辅助萃取-气相色谱质谱法检测生物体内的多溴联苯醚

建立了微波辅助萃取-气相色谱质谱法测定生物样品中的多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的方法,优化了萃取剂的种类、萃取剂用量、萃取时间等微波萃取条件和GC-MS仪器分析条件。正己烷-丙酮混合溶剂提取后,经实验室自制的多层硅胶柱分离纯化,用气相色谱-质谱进行测定,该方法基质加标回收率在60%～77%之间,相对标准偏差在11%～18%之间,方法的检测限为0.03～0.20ng/g,适用于生物样品中PBDEs的测定。     

高效液相色谱法检测丙烯腈-丁二烯-苯乙烯塑料中多溴联苯醚

建立了超声萃取-高效液相色谱法同时测定丙烯腈-丁二烯-苯乙烯(ABS)塑料中12种多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的方法。样品经甲苯/异辛烷(V/V=5/1)提取,离心(5000r/min),过0.45μm滤膜净化。用Waters-C18液相色谱柱(5μm,4.6×250 mm)分离,以甲醇、乙腈和水为流动相进行梯度洗脱,在波长226nm处检测,外标法定量。多溴联苯醚在5~500mg/L的范围内,有良好的线性关系(r=0.9999),检出限为0.07~0.2mg/L,萃取率在87.4%~103.1%之间,相对标准偏差小于2.0%。     

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in river water by combination of liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

In this work,a reliable and sensitive method for detecting polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) has been developed by the combination of liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.PBDEs were extracted from a large volume of water by liquid–liquid extraction and purified by silica gel chromatography.In order to reduce the deviation,dibromobiphenyl was exploited as the internal standard to minimize differences among the injections.The quantification was performed using an external standard.Good linear correlation coefficients(0.991) and a wide linearity range(1.0–500.0 ng/L) indicated the steadiness of the proposed method.Moreover,the satisfactory recovery(75%)suggested that successful determination of PBDEs in river water had been achieved.Furthermore,the deduction behavior of PBDEs in river water could be inferred according to the results.     

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental standard reference materials

Standard reference materials (SRMs) are valuable tools in developing and validating analytical methods to improve quality assurance standards. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a long history of providing environmental SRMs with certified concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants. Here we report on new certified and reference concentrations for 27 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in seven different SRMs: cod-liver oil, whale blubber, fish tissue (two materials), mussel tissue and sediment (two materials). PBDEs were measured in these SRMs, with the lowest concentrations measured in mussel tissue (SRM 1974b) and the highest in sediment collected from the New York/New Jersey Waterway (SRM 1944). Comparing the relative PBDE congener concentrations within the samples, we found the biota SRMs contained primarily tetrabrominated and pentabrominated diphenyl ethers, whereas the sediment SRMs contained primarily decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209). The cod-liver oil (SRM 1588b) and whale blubber (SRM 1945) materials were also found to contain measurable concentrations of two methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-BDEs). Certified and reference concentrations are reported for 12 PBDE congeners measured in the biota SRMs and reference values are available for two MeO-BDEs. Results from a sediment interlaboratory comparison PBDE exercise are available for the two sediment SRMs (1941b and 1944).     

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in marine biological tissues using microwave-assisted extraction

Growing concern on the environmental impact of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) has created the need for rapid and quality assured analytical methods to quantify PBDEs in a spectrum of matrix types. This study presents the first validated method for the quantification of major PBDE congeners (47, 99 and 100) in marine biological tissues using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The recovery of polychlorinated biphenyls and various organochlorine pesticides has also been ascertained. Analytical accuracy, precision, limits of detection and cleanup efficiency were evaluated for PBDE congeners, and empirical data justifies the use of MAE for the extraction and analysis of PBDEs in biological matrices. MAE was also compared to Soxhlet extraction efficiency for PBDEs in the standard reference materials SRM2978 and SRM1588a and gave comparable results (<15% variation).     

气相色谱-负离子化学源-质谱法分析茶叶中5种多溴联苯醚

将气相色谱-负离子化学源-质谱法(GC-NCI-MS)应用于快速分析茶叶中5种多溴联苯醚残留量.茶叶样品以正己烷作为提取剂,采用超声辅助提取法,提取液经中性氧化铝和Florisil硅藻土层析柱净化和正己烷洗脱后,以PCB-103为内标物和GC-NCI-MS的选择离子监测方式(SIM)进行定性与定量分析.5种多溴联苯醚的平均加标回收率为70.9%～81.7%,相对标准偏差为6.9%～11.0%,方法检出限小于0.12 μg/kg,线性范围为0.1～500 μg/kg,相关系数都大于0.9990.所分析的8种茶叶样品中6种含有微量的PBDE-47,1种茶叶样品含有微量的PBDE-99.     

Results of an interlaboratory comparison on the determination of polybrominated flame retardants in poly(ethyleneterephthalate)

An intercomparison to establish the performance of routine laboratories in the determination of polybrominated flame retardants in polymers was organised. Commercial poly(ethyleneterephthalate) was fortified with technical pentabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether and decabromodiphenyl ether mixtures and with a decabromobiphenyl technical mixture at 0.4–0.8 g/kg. Homogeneity and stability of the total Br content in the material was confirmed. Thirty-seven laboratories from Europe, Asia and the Americas submitted results. Relative repeatability standard deviations for individual congeners ranged from 7 to 17%. Relative between-laboratory standard deviations ranged from 22 to 61%. No significant influence of a common standard, application of a standard method or method parameters could be identified. The quality and uncertainty of the results of this study are significantly worse than those reported in the environmental field and indicate a clear need for a learning process among the laboratories involved. Figure Mandel’s h (between labs): critical level: 1.91     

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor dust standard reference materials

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been measured for the first time in three different indoor dust Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) prepared by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Two of these, SRM 2583 (Trace Elements in Indoor Dust) and SRM 2584 (Trace Elements in Indoor Dust), have been certified previously for lead and other inorganic constituents. A third, SRM 2585 (Organics in Indoor Dust), is a new indoor dust reference material prepared by NIST which will be certified for various organic compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls) in 2005 including certified concentrations for 16 individual PBDE congeners and reference values for an additional three PBDE congeners. Dust SRMs were analyzed for 30 PBDE congeners using high-resolution gas chromatography combined with low-resolution mass spectrometry operated in both negative chemical ionization (GC/ECNI–MS) and electron impact ionization (GC/EI–MS) modes. Sensitivity was an order of magnitude higher using GC/ECNI–MS relative to GC/EI–MS. These SRMs have been characterized and compared to the three PBDE commercial products (pentaBDE, octaBDE and decaBDE). PentaBDE and DecaBDE were present in all three SRMs and were the dominant commercial products, making up approximately 33% and 58%, respectively. Recent studies suggest that house dust may be a leading source of human exposure to PBDEs. These SRMs are the first reference materials with certified concentrations for PBDEs, which will aid in validating future measurements of PBDEs in house dust and other similar matrices. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1007/s00216-005-0227-y     

Processes driving the degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in terrestrial environment

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of brominated flame retardants, have gained the attention of many researchers due to their persistence in various environmental matrices. Their usage in numerous consumer products has lent credence to their ability to retard flammable gas formation and brought attention to their ubiquitous occurrence in the environment. PBDEs have been described as endocrine-disrupting chemicals because of their interference with the endocrine system in aquatic and terrestrial animals. In spite of the progress in research over the decades on PBDEs, a full understanding of the environmental behavior and fate of this contaminant is still elusive. Therefore, terrestrial contamination of PBDEs has been evaluated in conjunction with their levels of toxicity, transformation, and transport in various environmental compartments. This review provides a wider perspective of the behavior of PBDEs in the terrestrial environment. Through examining the numerous studies on the environmental contamination of PBDEs, a number of mounting concerns and data gaps have been identified. Numerous methodologies have been discussed including adsorption, catalytic, photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, photo-electrocatalytic, aerobic, and anaerobic degradation. The comparative PBDE degradation analysis suggests that the oxidative degradation pathway is the most appropriate way of wastewater treatment while the role of other soil ingredients on subsurface treatments is still under investigation.     

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in complex fatty matrices from aquaculture activities

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in negative chemical ionization mode (GC-(NCI)MS) has been applied to the quantification and reliable identification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in animal and vegetable samples from aquaculture activities. Matrices analyzed included fish fillet, fish feed, fish oil and linseed oil, their fat content ranged from 5% to 100%. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) (using Florisil and silica cartridges) and normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography were tested for an efficient clean-up in order to obtain sample extracts free of interfering compounds. Combining sulphuric acid digestion and SPE with Florisil led to the highest efficiency in the elimination of interferences from the extracts. The sample procedure developed, together with the application of GC-(NCI)MS for measurement, led to the satisfactory determination of PBDEs at μg kg ⁻¹ levels in complex aquaculture matrices with high lipid content. The use of a short and thin film-thickness fused-silica capillary column allowed to determine the problematic BDE 209 with satisfactory results. Three m/z ions were acquired for each analyte, which ensured a reliable identification of compounds detected in samples.     

Plunger-in-needle solid-phase microextraction with graphene-based sol-gel coating as sorbent for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) device, assembled with a commercially available plunger-in-needle microsyringe, with the plunger coated with graphene via a sol-gel approach, was developed for the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in environmental samples. This is the first application of graphene-based sol-gel coating as SPME sorbent. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were investigated in detail. The new coating exhibited enrichment factors for PBDEs between 1378 and 2859. The unique planar structure of graphene enhanced the π-π interaction with the aromatic PBDEs; additionally, the sol-gel coating technique created a porous three-dimensional network structure which offered larger surface area for extraction. The stainless steel plunger provided firm support for the coating and enhanced the durability of the assembly. The plunger-in-needle microsyringe represents a ready-made tool for SPME implementation. Under the optimized conditions, the method detection limits for five PBDEs were in the range of 0.2 and 5.3 ng/L (at a signal/noise ratio of 3) and the precision (% relative standard deviation, n=5) was 3.2-5.0% at a concentration level of 100 ng/L. The linearities were 5-1000 or 10-1000 ng/L for different PBDEs. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of PBDEs in canal water samples.     

Retention-time database of 126 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners and two bromkal technical mixtures on seven capillary gas chromatographic columns

The elution order of 126 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) was determined for seven different gas chromatographic (GC) stationary phases. The resulting database facilitates selection of the most suitable GC columns for developing a quantitative, congener-specific BDE analysis and the testing of retention prediction algorithms based on structure relationships of GC phases and congener substitution patterns. In addition, co-elutions of the principal BDE congeners with other BDEs and/or with other brominated flame retardants were investigated and, as an application, the composition of two Bromkal mixtures (70-5DE and 79-8DE) was studied.