This application demonstrates the trace-level analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) using electron impact single quadrupole scanning mass spectrometry. Agilent Technologies Inc. has implemented new testing procedures to evaluate the column inertness performance more effectively. The study focuses on the importance of PBDE analysis in understanding food supply and environmental quality worldwide.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent environmental chemicals used as flame retardants. This document details a method for analyzing trace and ultra-trace levels of PBDE congeners, including the challenging BDE-209, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
The application highlights the use of the Agilent J&W DB-5ms Ultra Inert 15 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 µm capillary GC column (part number 122-5512UI). The method utilizes an Agilent 6890N GC/5973B MSD with a 7683B autosampler and specific chromatographic conditions to achieve excellent sensitivity and linearity for various BDE congeners.
| Column Length | 15 m |
|---|---|
| Column Inner Diameter | 0.25 mm |
| Column Film Thickness | 0.25 µm |
| Column Part Number | 122-5512UI |
| Carrier Gas Flow Rate | 72 cm/s |
| Inlet Temperature | 325 °C |
| Oven Temperature Range | 150 to 325 °C |
| MSD Source Temperature | 300 °C |
The document recommends the Agilent J&W DB-5ms Ultra Inert capillary GC column.
The study used a range of 0.5 to 250 ng/mL for most BDEs and 2.5 to 1,000 ng/mL for BDE-209.