Improved analytical procedure for determination of chlorinated pesticide residues in human serum using solid phase disc extraction (SPDE), single-step clean-up and gas chromatography

Summary An improved analytical methodology based on solid-phase disc extraction (SPDE) and a single-step clean-up on Florisil is proposed for a large number of organochlorine pesticide residues in serum. Extraction was performed following denaturation of proteins with formic acid after it was shown that it has no degradation effect on targeted analytes (α, β, γ-HCH isomers, HCB, DDT with its 5 analogues, endrin, aldrin, dieldrin, alachlor; heptachlor, heptachlorepaxide, α, β-endosulphan, endosulphansulphate, methoxychlor and mirex). Determination and quantification were by GC-ECD and GC-MS on two different, analytical capillary-columns using PCNB (pentachlonitrobenzene) and PCB 190 internal standards. Recoveries and limits of detection determined on pooled serum ranged 54–102% (for medium spiking level) and 10–50 pg ml⁻¹ serum respectively. Twenty-one individuals serum samples from the University Hospital of Antwerp were analysed and results were related to the ages of the donors. For compounds not detected by GC-MS, eventual coelution with PCBs in GC-ECD analysis was studied.