Advances in analytical techniques for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like PCBs

Abstract

Analytical techniques for the determination of polychorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and dioxin-like PCBs (DLPCB) are reviewed. The focus of the review is on recent advances in methodology and analytical procedures. The paper also reviews toxicology, the development of toxic equivalent factors (TEF) and the determination of toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) values. Sources, occurrence and temporal trends of PCDD/PCDF are summarized to provide examples of levels and concentration ranges for the methods and techniques reviewed.

Establishing an alternative method for the quantitative analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans by comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry for developing countries

“…The choice of column combinations for comprehensive GC × GC-TOFMS has been detailed in the literature [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. The first approach for dioxin analysis at the NMISA was based on the method by Hoh [21].…”

“…performed by measuring peak area ratios (native/labelled material) and then using either the calibration curve or the relative response factor (RRF), where RRF = Area 12 C/Area 13 C]/RRF) − BC) × (1/sample weight), the result given as ng kg −1 [7].…”

“…It is expected that the selectivity lost due to low resolution mass spectrometry (vs HRMS) will be offset by the higher selectivity of the extra gas chromatographic dimension. Moreover, as full range mass spectral data are always acquired (detailed full range mass spectral acquisition for selected classes of POPs is described in a previous paper [6]), it is not a target compound technique such as single ion monitoring (SIM), and is ideal for screening for multiple classes of environmental pollutants in a single analysis [1,[10][11][12][13][14]. Retrospective data mining of archived data will be possible when future focus turns to new target compounds, e.g., the brominated dioxins.…”

Unsanitary Landfill Fires as a Source of a PCDD/Fs Contamination

“…Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been listed as persistent organic pollutants important to monitor in order to understand their interaction with the environment as well as their impact on the human health. [1] Although PCDD/Fs are mainly considered as unwanted by-products of industrial processes, with incinerations being their largest source (municipal, hospital and hazardous waste; sewage sludge), [2,3] they can also be produced by natural processes (volcanic activity, forest fires and other natural combustion processes) [4,5] or be introduced into the environment through crop fertilization. [6] Regardless of their source, these compounds are considered toxic mainly due to their high affinity for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is associated with expression of numerous genes.…”

“…It is noteworthy to mention that these limits, as well as the PCDD/Fs levels determined in different environmental and biological samples, are very low, often expressed in units of fg g -1 or pg g -1 , which presents a challenge in terms of sample preparation and analysis. [14] Since methodology for the PCDD/Fs determination is highly demanding and complex, it is well described in the European norms and in details in the work of Alawi et al [15] and Reiner et al [5] The main steps include extraction (Soxhlet, liquid-liquid, solid-phase or pressurized fluid extraction), followed by transfer to a suitable solvent and a three stage (silica, alumina, and carbon) open-column clean-up and it ends with the high-resolution gas chromatography -high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). [5] Recently, triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry is used as an alternative to high resolution magnetic sector instrument for the analysis of PCDD/Fs, with the detection limit of 0.07 to 0.75 pg µL -1 .…”