Dioxin Analysis in Water by Isotope Dilution Using Triple Quadrupole GC/MS

New Environmental Monitoring Techniques for Organics
Oral Presentation

Prepared by D. Wong1, H. Lin2
1 - Agilent Technologies, 2850 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States
2 - The DOW Chemical Company, 3700 James Savage Road, Midland, MI, 48667, United States


Contact Information: diana.wong@agilent.com; 302-559-1528


ABSTRACT

Dioxins are pollutants that originate from industrial processes and are highly monitored by environmental agencies. The U.S. EPA Office of Science and Technology developed Method 1613B for the determination of tetra through octa-clorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in aqueous, solid and tissue matrices by isotope dilution GC/HRMS (Gas Chromatography/ high resolution mass spectrometer). Although 1613B is performance based, it required 10000 resolution, which can only be achieved by high resolution MS. However, GC/HRMS is expensive in maintenance and required highly specialized skillset for operation. This work compares the analysis of a magnetic sector GC/MS (GC/HRMS) to a triple quadrupole GC/MS (GC-MS/MS), which is cheaper and easier in operation. An optimized GC-MS/MS method will be presented showing isomer specificity of PCDD/F. Mass resolution and distinction of isomers are achieved for TCDD and TCDFs. Calibration, linear range, and recoveries met the performance criteria for Method 1613B.