Comparison of Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Gas Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry to Traditional High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for the Identification and Quantification of Halogenated Dioxins and Furans

Abstract

The goal of this study was to qualify gas chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry (APGC-MS/MS) as a reliable and valid technique for analysis of halogenated dioxins and furans that could be used in place of more traditional gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) analysis. A direct comparison of the two instrumental techniques was performed. APGC-MS/MS system sensitivity was demonstrated to be on the single femtogram level. The APGC-MS/MS analysis also demonstrated method detection limits (MDLs) in both sediment and fish that were 2-18 times lower than those determined for the GC-HRMS. Inlet conditions were established to prevent issues with sample carry-over, due largely to the enhanced sensitivity of this technique. Additionally, this work utilized direct injection for sample introduction through the split/splittless inlet. Finally, quantification of both sediment and fish certified reference materials were directly compared between the APGC-MS/MS and GC-HRMS. The APGC-MS/MS performed similarly to, if not better than, the GC-HRMS instrument in the analysis of these samples. This data is intended to substantiate APGC-MS/MS as a comparable technique to GC-HRMS for the analysis of dioxins and furans.

Determination of Halogenated Flame Retardants Using Gas Chromatography with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) and a High-Resolution Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (HRqTOFMS)

“…Samples were analyzed using a Waters Xevo G2-XS qTOF fitted with a 15 m x 0.25 mm x 0.1 µm DB-5 HT (5% phenyl) GC column. This was connected to a 0.8 m x 1.8 mm sulfinert treated MXT tubing in the transfer line, following guidance from Organtini et al 19 The injector temperature was set at 280 ⁰C, and transfer line at 330⁰C. The initial oven temperature was set at 110 ⁰C with a ramp of 40⁰C a minute to 200 ⁰C, 10 ⁰C a minute to 280 ⁰C and 30 ⁰C a minute to 330 ⁰C and held for 5 minutes, resulting in a total run time of 17.92 minutes.…”

Quantitative Analysis of Mixed Halogen Dioxins and Furans in Fire Debris Utilizing Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Gas Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

“…An interlaboratory study was previously performed in which the APGC-MS/MS instrument was directly compared to a magnetic sector high resolution mass spectrometer. 20 The APGC-MS/MS system demonstrated equivalent, or better, performance than the GC-HRMS system for chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran analysis. It also demonstrated increased sensitivity with the ability to significantly expand upon the dioxin analysis methods that only monitor for 17 polychlorinated congeners without sacrificing sensitivity.…”

Evaluation of multiple alternative instrument platforms for targeted and non‐targeted dioxin and furan analysis

“…The TQ-S used in this experiment was used in a previous study by Organtini et al, comparing its performance to a GC-HRMS for dioxin analysis in fish and soil samples. 33 A similar study was conducted by van Bavel et al, which utilized 4 different TQ-S instruments and compared them to a GC-HRMS. 34 The current study found that the MDL for the TQ-S shows an average improvement of 2-fold over GC-HRMS with a maximum improvement of 3-fold for 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD.…”