Fast and direct screening of solid materials for their potential liberation of hydrophobic organic compounds using hot cell membrane inlet mass spectrometry

We demonstrate that solid materials can be screened directly and without any pretreatment for their potential liberation of chemicals into the surroundings using a hot (150-250 degrees C) sample cell membrane inlet mass spectrometer with electron ionization. Three very different types of solids were tested: polymers (in this context regarded as a solid), tea leaves and pesticide-contaminated soil. From the polymers phthalates and other additives were liberated; from the tea leaves flavor additives and caffeine were liberated; and from the contaminated soil degradation products of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) were liberated. In all cases we detected characteristic compounds directly from the untreated sample with an analytical turnover of 8-10 samples per hour. Improved selectivity of compounds penetrating the membrane was achieved either by operating the hot cell at different temperatures or by using variations in the time trend of individual ions following insertion of a piece of the solid material into the hot cell.