Fast Analysis of Haloacetic Acids, Bromate and Dalapon Using Ion Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry

Topics in Drinking Water
Oral Presentation

Prepared by R. Jack, Y. Liu, C. Pohl, C. Saini
Thermo Fisher Scientific, 490 Lakeside Dr., Sunnyvale, CA, 94085, United States


Contact Information: richard.jack@thermofisher.com; 408-481-4555


ABSTRACT

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) containing chlorine and bromine are formed as disinfection byproducts when drinking water is chlorinated to remove microbial contents. Human consumption of chlorinated drinking water has been linked to bladder, kidney, and colorectal cancer. Brominated acetic acids are shown to have more adverse effects including more tumor promoting activity. Of the nine species of haloacetic acids HAA9), five are currently regulated by the U.S. EPA (HAA5) including monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), monobromoacetic acid (MBAA), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), dibromoacetic acid (DBAA), trichloroacetic acid (TCAA). At present bromochloroacetic acid (BCAA), bromodichloroacetic acid (BDCAA), dibromochloroacetic acid (DBCAA), and tribromoacetic acid (TBAA) remain unregulated, however they still pose a health concern and are often analyzed alongside the HAA5.
In anion exchange chromatography hydroxide-based eluent systems provide the highest detection sensitivity as well as the lowest noise, resulting in substantially lower detection limits. Hydroxide eluent is ideally suited to the application of gradients in anion exchange ion chromatography and it is a prerequisite for Mass Spectrometry when using suppressor technology. Over the years, the evolution of hyperbranched stationary phases designed for use with hydroxide eluents has proceeded in numerous directions.
In this presentation, we will demonstrate recent advances in hyperbranched technology to provide a high capacity hydroxide selective stationary phase which is very useful for fast analysis of 9HAAs. We will discuss suitability of this column to provide nearly 40% faster analysis speed for HAAs using IC-MS and EPA method 557 for analysis of haloacetic acids, bromate and dalapon in drinking water.