Polychlorinated Biphenyls Analysis in Environmental Samples

Abstract

The analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a wide variety of environmental samples is discussed, starting with the more traditional methodology and moving on to more recent developments that are expected to continue in the twenty‐first century. Several detection techniques, including gas chromatography (GC) coupled with electron capture detection (ECD) and mass spectrometry (MS), are described in the first part of this article. The use of MS as a detection technique is discussed in detail, from both a qualitative and a quantitative point of view. To a large extent the detection technique used determines the sample pretreatment and clean‐up, and in later paragraphs column clean‐up on adsorbents is discussed, including fat removal, alumina column chromatography and planar separation on carbon. A new methodology for the analysis of PCBs in environmental samples is also described. Both speed of analysis using gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOFMS) and environmentally friendly analysis using supercritical CO 2 are discussed in detail. In the last section several aspects of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) are discussed using an international intercalibration study as an example.

Preliminary Assessment of U.K. Human Dietary and Inhalation Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

“…A recent study of PBDE concentrations in Swedish blood revealed a small number of individuals to have elevated levels of PBDE contamination that could not be explained by differences in occupational exposure (12). Other authors have surmized that current human exposure may not occur exclusively via the dietary pathway (2,5,19) and that the presence of PBDEs in both workplace and home environments may constitute important exposure routes (20).…”

“…The uses for these commercial formulations are myriad: the penta product is employed mainly to flame retard polyurethane foams in carpet underlay, furniture, and bedding; the octa formulation is used to flame retard thermoplastics such as high-impact polystyrene; and the deca product is used principally in plastic housings for electrical goods such as TVs and computers as well as textiles (). Despite concerns surrounding these contaminants owing to their presence in human milk ( − ), adipose tissue ( − ), and blood ( , ), coupled with evidence relating to their potential adverse effects on human health ( , )which have led to EU restrictions on and from July 2003 the banning within the EU of the penta product ()comparatively few data are available relating to both (a) the magnitude of human exposure and (b) the relative significance of inhalation and diet as human exposure pathways. Table summarizes the available data relating to measurements of human dietary exposure in Canada ( 7) , The Netherlands ( 14) , Spain (), and Sweden ( , ).…”

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in the Environment and in People: A Meta-Analysis of Concentrations

“…In North America, these outlier concentrations usually exceed 300 ng/g lipid, which is ∼10 times the average level. The reason for these outliers is not yet clear (12). In general, it is likely that the reason that the North American samples show such relatively high concentrations is the focused use of the penta-BDE product in North America.…”